This album features arrangements I have made of a variety of old songs and standards many of which are in the public domain.  All performances are by me.

Lew's Keyboard Creations/Arrangements

This composition is dedicated to my friend who goes grocery shopping with his new super e-bike.  As you listen, imagine him pedaling with and without pedal assist, navigating the hectic traffic, and finally triumphantly returning home with a pannier full of groceries!

Rex's Grocery Shoppin' Blues

This recording was made to show the use and value of MIDI instruments during pandemics, unavailability of suitable musicians, and as a bridge for musical collaborations over long distances.  My selection is "Sweet Georgia Brown" in Gypsy Jazz style, an American standard song published in 1925. It has been recorded by countless musicians and was popularized by the "Harlem Globetrotters" as their theme song. 
  
The recording is based on a rhythm guitar and bass backing track by  Christiaan van Hemert, a well known Dutch musician.  I then added Midi piano, Hammond B-3 organ, and electric bass for various solos and riffs.  I used a Yamaha P-80 Electronic Keyboard and Logic Pro recording software for the recording.

Sweet Georgia Brown (Gypsy Jazz Style)

After You've Gone

I have been listening to ragtime and stride recently and decided to try the styles out on the old song, "Margie"  I did a duet with myself in that I could not play exactly what I had in mind.  The song was featured in several movies and was a favorite in vaudeville performances in the 1920's.

Duets With Myself 1) "Margie"

This is another song with which I have used multiple tracks to create a "duet with myself". The song bears a 1920 copyright and first publishing attributes the lyrics to Malvin Schonberger and the music to John Schonberger.  Paul Whiteman's version was an eleven-week No. 1 hit in the United States, which stayed 20 weeks in the charts, and sold in excess of two million copies.

Duet With Myself 2. Whispering

This is my simple, no frills recording of this popular tune composed in 1930 by Sam H. Stept with lyrics by Sidney Clare The lyrics are an admonishment between parting lovers, where the singer asks the other to either speak nicely of her, or not at all.

Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone

A mainstream piano jazz trio performing this old standard.

St. Louis Blues

Although this beautiful song was popularized by Elvis Presley in the '60's, it was composed long before that in 1926.  Written by Roy Turk and Lou Handman, the song reached the top twenty on the Billboard's Pop Singles chart in 1950.                                                                  I have included the original "verse" or introduction to the song in my recording.  Other than the original recording by the Henry Burr Orchestra in 1927, I have been unable to find other recordings that include the verse.  It is a melodic introduction that compliments the song beautifully. 

Are You Lonesome Tonight

How could anyone not be happy upon hearing this song and its lyrics.  "Bells ring, birds sing,
             Sun is shin-in', no more pin-in'.
This great song was written by Fred Hamm, Dave Bennett, Bert Lown, and Chancey Gray in 1925. It has been recorded by many artists over the years but perhaps the best recording is by Les Paul and Mary Ford made in 1952.

Bye Bye Blues

Red Flowers and Music are an integral part of this iconic day for sweethearts.
This recording features my arrangements of two of the most popular classic love songs, "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" by Friedman & Whitson and   "Embraceable You" by George Gershwin

A Valentine Medley

It is mid February, 2025 and basketball season is here.  As a pianist and longtime follower of the great "Harlem Globetrotters" I was compelled to do my own arrangement of the Trotters theme song "Sweet Georgia Brown. Not having a bassist around, I used a track of the great Italian bassist Mr. Sunnybass (Mauro Sereno).  I am grateful to Mauro for making this version of my arrangement possible.

Sweet Georgia Brown (Celebrating US Basketball)

The title of this hymn is the seminal question of the Christian Faith. The chorus  of the hymn states the question in pointed detail:

"What will you do with Jesus? 
Neutral you just can't be. 
Someday your heart will be asking, 
What will He do with me?"

What Will You do with Jesus?

My version of this hit song written in 1918 by Bob Carleton

Past-Times

Ja-Da

To the love of my life and best friend ever.  Recorded on a Steinway Model D 9' grand piano in the East Alabama Art Center, Opelika, Alabama. Recording courtesy of Rex Roach Films using Rex's methodology for recording grand pianos. This sound file is part of an educational video which can be accessed on YouTube at: youtu.be/sjOZCNu_IL4?list=FLnCYGCyU2VLh4tg1QaKnGOg

"Dream"

Recorded on a Steinway Model D 9' grand piano in the East Alabama Art Center, Opelika, Alabama. Recording courtesy of Rex Roach Films using Rex's methodology for recording grand pianos. This sound file is part of an educational video which can be accessed on YouTube at: youtu.be/sjOZCNu_IL4?list=FLnCYGCyU2VLh4tg1QaKnGOg

Over The Rainbow

Despite my love of classical music to mainstream jazz, I have always admired the music of Ray Charles.  This is my impossible attempt to play one of my favorite ballads in the style of Ray Charles.

Georgia On My Mind (Ray Charles Style)

An arrangement using midi keyboard with piano, Hammond Organ, and Bass in track assignments in the style of Ray Charles.

Drown in My Own Tears (Ray Charles Style)

Solo piano and a slow and thoughtful style

Love Me Tender

A great jazz standard recorded by Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, and Willie Nelson.  This arrangement features piano and Hammond B-3 organ accompanied by a guitar, bass, and drums trio.

All of Me

My favorite Hoagy Carmichael songs recorded on a Steinway Concert Grand Piano.  Songs include in order of recording:  "One Morning in May", "Stardust", "Moon Country", and "Up a Lazy River" Credits to my friend and superb recording and video producer, Rex Roach.

Hoagy Carmichael Medley

My goal with this site is to present an eclectic approach to piano, instrumental, and vocal music with a focus on religious music and the American Songbook.  I have incorporated various musical styles and venues into my music including traditional, gospel, contemporary, classical, pop, and mainstream jazz.  It is my hope that listeners will be able to identify with one or more of the musical styles and enjoy my arrangements and compositions.  I am also a nature/wildlife photographer and hope that my music reaches a diverse audience just as biodiversity is a theme of nature and wildlife.

Lew's Keyboard Creations/Arrangements

Eclectic by Nature