UN PIANIST PENTRU RELAXARE : OMAR AKRAM

[teacher]

 

Omar Akram has been influenced by many cultures because he grew up as a world-traveler. He was born in New York City while his father was representing Afghanistan at the United Nations. “I was always fascinated by musical instruments as a child, so when I was six, I began taking piano lessons from a member of the Prague Symphony Orchestra, who was one of the top music teachers in the Czech Republic.” While growing up, Omar went to many symphonies and ballets. His early influences were classical -- first Bach, Mozart and Beethoven, but soon the “Russian School” of Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky and Shastakovich. When Omar was 14 and in Cuba, he got to chat with Fidel Castro at a diplomatic reception. Omar’s curiosity for Cuban culture led him to local clubs where he talked the musicians into letting him sit in and play Cuban music with them which is when he developed a love for Latin rhythms and Latin-styled acoustic guitar sounds.

Omar returned to the United States and was introduced to the international electronic music of Jean Michel Jarre (France), Kitaro (Japan) and Vangelis (Greece) “which got me into synthesizers and electronic music. That shifted everything and I knew I wanted to try that type of music so I started composing.” A few years later Akram heard piano soloists such as George Winston and David Lanz which brought him back to the piano. But Omar has far-ranging musical tastes and during those formative years he also listened to Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Prince. Omar moved to Los Angeles in 1993 and began performing anywhere he could (whether it was solo piano gigs or in bars with Top 40 cover bands). He continued to travel, not only throughout the United States, but regularly to England and France too.

Akram kept composing original music, but a turning point came when he met Dr. E. Mike Vasilomanolakis, who became his executive producer and encouraged him to begin recording. This material led to Omar’s signing with Real Music. In addition to his studio recordings, Akram also performs concerts. At the International Book Expo in Chicago, esteemed authors Deepak Chopra and Carolyn Myss saw Omar perform and became fans of his music. For the next two years, Myss had Omar return to Chicago every month to perform at her seminars in front of audiences of 500-to-700.

“In a world where communication and understanding between cultures is sometimes difficult, I hope my music can serve as a form of international language that crosses any cultural barriers.  Having lived and traveled in many countries, I have come to realize that we need to embrace aspects of each culture that make them unique and special.  What some people see as problematical differences, I see as our planet’s entire cultural heritage.  With my music, I try to celebrate some of the sounds and feelings I have encountered worldwide.  I would like to invite music lovers from all cultures to join me in traveling on this “Secret Journey.”

Omar Akram’s recordings can be purchased at record stores and specialty gift shops worldwide and online at the artist’s site www.omarakram.com, webstores such as www.amazon.com, and many digital download locations including iTunes.

[Vajaianu Nancy]

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[Nicoleta Cimpoae]