Originally intended to document my experience of DeLorean ownership, focus is often radical and strange, boring and obtuse.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Rob Scott, Pianoptic



Wednesday night I was proud to zip into C.N. Towertown for my friend's CD-release party at Lula Lounge. I've known Rob Scott my entire life. And when I say friend, and I say entire life, I mean we have pictures of my 4th birthday where HE is the one blowing out MY candles.

Rob is a piano prodigy. At 8 he could reproduce, by ear, any song he heard on the radio and it wasn't until highschool or thereabouts that he learned to read and write music physically, on paper. Before then, everything was my ear, by memory.

His songs were played that night with such passion and ferocity that watching his face contort with the different emotions was as entertaining as watching any great band perform live. Rob has been all over the map, emotionally and physically. He was one of the youngest students to ever attend the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston, upon winning a massive scholarship while he was still in high school.

While I was nerding it up watching Star Trek, mesmerised by the different angles of the friggin bloody Enterprise, Rob was creating astounding music and building a solid foundation for what is about to become an formidable career.

Roughly 10 years ago, two big labels (one being Sony BMG) got into a bidding war over Rob and the latest pop CD he had created. Unfortunately the deal offered wasn't what he was looking for, and he cautiously opted for Teacher's College instead.

After a year of teaching music in Mexico, he came back and gave his true passion another shot. Playing weekly in some of the ritziest hotels in downtown Toronto can hook you up with a lot of contacts.

Somehow Michael Buble heard his stuff and gave him a call. They forged a bond, and a deal. Mr. Buble's next album will feature one of Rob's jazz songs, recorded in a Vancouver studio during the upcoming winter months.

But for now, Rob is promoting his newest CD, Pianoptic, which I believe is his first commercially released disc. The range of music is awe-inspiring: from a musical eulogy at his mother's dreamt funeral, to Outkast's 'Hey Ya!' to the Beatles' 'Blackbird' to three songs played simultaneously: Bohemian Rhapsody, Rhapsody In Blue, & Blue Rondo Ala Turk cleverly titled Bohemian Rhapsody In Blue Rondo Ala Turk.

Not to mention
his own stunning compositions recorded on an imposing 9.5 foot long Bosendorfer Imperial Grand Piano, with 97 keys, yes you read that right - 97 keys, all in the lower register. The outcome of his skill was a crowd of about 130 all on their feet.

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10 Comments:

Blogger Monogram Queen said...

That is awesome for your friend and awesome that you have known him your whole life.

9:30:00 AM

 
Blogger Martini said...

Thanks Patti_cake, your comment is awesome!

10:23:00 AM

 
Blogger Bella said...

So very cool!

But after the candle blowing incident, I don't know if I would have been so forgiving. ;)You are a much better person than I.

11:48:00 AM

 
Blogger Martini said...

Hey Katie, if you can figure out why I'm unable to comment on wordpress, can you let me know?

12:20:00 PM

 
Blogger Louisiana said...

oh my gosh, maccarroni he is amazing.
what a beautiful 3 mins of music you posted. thank you.

congratulations to him in his abilities and what is for sure going to be a major successful career. he will be the next huge Canadian star to take over the music world.

so glad you have friends for life, that you have known since little..that is just beautitul...

12:26:00 PM

 
Blogger ZoeyBella said...

Sounds like a really nice time. Great news about Michael Buble and getting to work with him. Your friend must be thrilled.

3:52:00 PM

 
Blogger Ellie Creek Ellis said...

I grew up playing by ear, as well, learning to read music in HS, now I've been a music teacher (band, choir, piano, elementary, guitar, etc) and love hearing stories like these. I enjoyed listening to his music, too. So glad you posted this! I give you extra credit!

9:12:00 AM

 
Blogger Martini said...

I thought you might enjoy that, Ms.Creek. Music is one of the most amazing things we can create. There will be more news on Rob, and our adventures together in the future.

11:53:00 AM

 
Blogger Bella said...

You are able to comment, I don't know why, but I always need to moderate your comments. They will show up though.

12:35:00 PM

 
Blogger Martini said...

Thanks for the update!

5:01:00 PM

 

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