Singer/pianist/songwriter Rich Siegel has been a fixture on the New York music scene for many years, with an eclectic resumé, appearing in top piano rooms including Bemelman’s at the Carlyle and Peacock Alley at the Waldorf-Astoria, jazz clubs including Birdland and  the Blue Note, and has appeared in piano rooms, jazz clubs, and festivals all over the world, including in France, Japan, Canada, Mexico, and West Africa.  Rich appeared as on-stage singer-pianist in the Off Broadway shows “Our Sinatra” and “Jacques Brel Returns”  Show credits also include a role in Anne Phillips’ “A Jazz Nativity”, A New York jazz tradition.  As accompanist Rich has worked with many singers in the jazz, cabaret, and pop genres. As an orchestra leader, with a specialty in ballroom dance, Rich presided over fifteen years of formal balls at New York’s International House.  He has often commuted to Montréal for frequent appearances at Upstairs Jazz Club and down to Cape May, NJ for appearances at the Merion Inn. His trio is currently enjoying an extended residency at the Harvard Club of New York.  He is also a church music director, currently at Wantagh Mem. Congregational. His peace activist CD “The Way to Peace” has received critical acclaim.  Rich graduated from David Baker’s jazz program at Indiana University.

TRACK DESCRIPTIONS

1) Spring Again:  A Rich Siegel original song destined to become a new jazz standard.  An up tempo jazz waltz that opens with a rubato section, it’s about recovering a lost love and making it happen again- because it’s “Spring Again”.

2) Take It With Me: This is a Tom Waits favorite, a ballad with a lyric that refutes the old adage “You can’t take it with you”.

3) The Best Things Happen While You’re Dancing:  By Iriving Berlin, a hard swinging tune, the “other song” featured in the movie “White Christmas”

4) Hermana Compañera, a sweet ballad in Spanish, the lyric makes the listener decide if it’s about romance or friendship.  Written by my late friend Bernardo Palombo and his friend Damian Sanchez.  Includes a classically based piano interlude.

5) I Think of You:  Another Rich Siegel original destined to become a new jazz standard.  A bossa nova with a wistful lyric about a love that’s always on your mind.

6) This Song Ain’t About Nothing:  Written by my dear friend Jim Scott, a walking tempo swing tune with a humorous lyric by a guy who’s the best word-smith I know.  What’s the song about?  You won’t be able to answer!

7) It’s Always Been You:  The TITLE TRACK, another Rich Siegel original, a “wrist-slasher” ballad about lost love, with an amazing lyric which was a collaboration between myself and Karen Benedetto.  I came up with the “hook” but Karen’s was the skill that really crafted this outstanding lyric! 

8) Les Feuilles Mortes:  It’s Autumn Leaves in the original French by Joseph Kosma and Jacques Prevert.  It’s a familiar standard done in an unfamiliar way- in French!

9) Like Someone In Love:  The classic Burke and Van Heusen standard, originally sung by Dinah Shore in the 1944 movie “Belle of the Yukon”. We swing it!

10) As Velas do Mucuripe:  Brazilian ballad by Fagner and Antonio Carlos Belchior, with a whimsical lyric sung in the original Portuguese.

11) Clearing:  Another Jim Scott original, song with a lot of heart, my rendition features an intricate instrumental section with much interaction between piano and bass.

12) Bryant Pond:  The album closes with another Rich Siegel original, a ballad with a gorgeous lyric written entirely by Ruth Rachel Mackin.  I did not collaborate.  It’s all Ruth’s and it’s lovely, about the eternal nature or a first love.