Ann Sweeten Solo Piano Performance

Fourteen-Time Music Awards Nominee, ASCAP Popular Awards Recipient 2002 – 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020

After a quarter-century of enamoring audiences on the Concert stage and on Radio/Internet Airwaves, Ann Sweeten’s signature style is recognized worldwide. Often placed in the New Age genre, her style is decidedly unique, embracing not only the classical realm, but aspects of jazz, film scoring, and popular music. Sweeten’s music has aired and been reviewed across the world to wide critical acclaim and these are just some of the accolades awarded to her:

“A pianist whose abilities are unrivaled”;” musical genius”;” beauty incarnate”;” inimitable”;” reminiscent of something written by the great impressionists, out of the ordinary..”; “one of the most instantly recognizable ‘voices’ in contemporary instrumental music”; “musical Narnia”; “exquisite music performed by a consummate musician”; “the touch of a master”; “a true maestro at work”;” outstanding technique”;” her astute control of nuance and tempo will beguile you”; “astounding ability to paint a vivid picture”;” the music bears hints of the musical masters’ phrasing in the music. I hear notes of Barber, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Brahms”; “You can’t call this music ‘Jazz’, nor can you pigeonhole it as ‘New Age’… because it’s purely/simply ‘Ann’ .”; “..I could feel a Higher Power within each song. It is hypnotically intoxicating. Sweeten is a gifted and anointed spirit to be sure.”

Ann Sweeten’s journey in the performing arts began at the age of 6 in both Music and Ballet in Westfield, NJ. She received a Hammond Organ for Christmas that year after showing interest in keyboards and was soon to master it, though the first year she had to stand to reach the pedals. For her ninth Christmas, she received a Baldwin Piano and soon began intensive study with Russian-born Concert Pianist David Sokoloff. Under his tutelage, she learned to play the music of the great masters. She sites Sokoloff as her greatest mentor, whose influence in developing her technique and in encouraging her musicality, was paramount. All during these years, Sweeten was also dancing the classic ballets, Swan Lake, Les Sylphides, Sleeping Beauty, with a Regional Ballet Company in NJ. A Dean’s list scholar throughout academia, Sweeten earned a B.A. from Smith College in foreign languages, graduating Cum Laude, and continued study in Paris and later at the Boston Conservatory.

Sweeten did a brief two-year stint as Female Front and lyricist to the Pop/Rock Band: FALLOUT. Then she began appearing on Cruise Ships, in Cabaret Clubs and Resorts playing and singing a wide range of material including Jazz, Pop, Folk, New Age, and Broadway music. Sweeten began composing around 1989 in the midst of her Musical Theatre Career, starring in such roles as Aldonza (Man of La Mancha), Sister Amnesia (Nunsense) Miss Mona (Best Little Whorehouse in Texas), and Velma Kelly (Chicago). When she started introducing her own original material to her setlists, the response was overwhelming. In 1997, Sweeten released her debut album, “Prism”. By Sweeten’s third album, “Reflections” (2000), her music was selling on listening stations at major record chains (Borders Books & Music, Sam Goody’s) weekly by the hundreds. Fans began to write in-depth about the effect of Sweeten’s music on their lives; speaking of the music as hope, as giving the power of healing or a way of finding peace. She has stated “the fact that my music touches people so strongly is the greatest reward I receive from my music and I have been moved to tears by the personal stories people have shared with me.” Having written over 100 musical scores to date, Sweeten is also author to all of her albums’ liner notes and is a poet in her own right. In 2008, Steinway and Sons welcomed Sweeten into its prestigious international roster of Steinway Artists, touting her, a true Renaissance woman.

Whatever words you may use to describe this artist, her music is always timeless, elegant, and classic, always, Ann Sweeten. Ann Sweeten’s newest offering, Change Is in the Wind, is a breathtaking and breath-catching collection of passionate instrumentals rendered with prodigious technique and mesmerizing melodic sensibility. Standout guest musicians include Nancy Rumbel (English Horn), Eugene Friesen (cello), and Charlie Bisharat (Violin). Though born out of the Pandemic, Change Is in the Wind bursts forth from the composer’s soul and blooms lushly on the ears and in the mind of the listener. Once again, Sweeten finds the path to light amidst the darkness and has said in her own words: “This time, and not for a long time, my music is coming from a place of Peace. It’s been kind of surreal actually as if the heartaches of the past have been freed and I am floating in an aura of completeness, of understanding and release, Turning the Page, as it were… Change Is in the Wind, represents a glance in the rearview mirror of my life, but, with an Emergence into the light and peace of the Present.”

PLEASE NOTE

The Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts is requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination for all of our workshops and performances, for instructors and performers, as well as participants and attendees. We are also requiring that face masks be worn indoors. We realize that we will alienate some of our community by doing so, but believe the majority will appreciate being able to enjoy our programming in a safe environment. The Center was closed for an entire year due to COVID-19, which threatened our existence, and we are also concerned for the safety of the students and staff of the Besant Hill School – an international boarding school and the larger activity of the foundation – who we interact with. We appreciate your understanding of our desire to protect each other during this challenging time.