I have recently starting exploring and discovering the avenue of music licensing, which means finding areas in media to use your music. You can hear samples of some of my new creations, and see some video clips  for this format at the FILM/TV link on my website.  I have been having fun exploring other genres of music. Thanks for listening. http://www.rickgallagher.com then click on FILM/TV
Downtown Pittsburgh Lunchtime Piano
Looking for a place to relax during your lunch hour in downtown Pittsburgh? I have been extremely fortunate to play for the US Steel Tower daily over the last fifteen years.  The piano is located in the upper lobby of the building which overlooks the Steel Tower patio and has a wonderful lobby with a Starbucks for you coffee lovers. My regular times there are Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon – 1pm.
Further down on Grant, the innovative One Oxford Centre features tons of shopping and a food court beneath the Steinway. You can find me at this building on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:30-1:30. Stop in and request your favorite tunes.   Hope to see you at either or both venues!
Pines Tavern Patio
If you haven’t been there yet, you must check out the award-winning Pines Tavern restuarant in Gibsonia, PA. I was fortunate to meet the owner, Mike Novak a few years back and am very excited to play there weekly with vocalist Lori Thee and occasionally small jazz combos.
The European-styled patio should be open by mid-April and was awarded best outdoor dining in 2009. They have 13 acres and grow tons of their own produce.   The chef is creative, and every dish is as appealing as the atmosphere. Hope to see you there this summer.
Jazz piano instruction books
“The Jazz Piano Book” by Mark Levine is definitely the best,  most comprehensive jazz piano instruction book that I have seen. It covers everything from jazz piano voicings, reharmonization techniques and  improvisation to various types of jazz harmony and rhythms. It digs into legends of jazz and has many great written examples.Â
 There is also a more general version of this book called the “The Jazz Theory Book,” also by Mark Levine. Not an easy read for the beginner, but I highly recommend it for anyone studying jazz.
http://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Piano-Book-Mark-Levine/dp/0961470151
Titles for instrumental compositions
I just wanted to see how you go about titling your instrumental compositons. Most of my titles happen from situations in life, whether it is a place or somthing that happened.   Sometimes the title inspires an idea for a tune and sometimes a tune goes unnammed for a long time.  I think my kids come up with the best titles……nothing like the honest mind of a child.
Songs and arrangement suggestions
I am always looking to find new songs to put my stamp on. If you have any good songs you’d like to hear re-arranged in a classic jazz style please leave them here. Some of my best ideas develop from requests and others’ favorites. Thanks!
