3RD STREET IMPROV Rich Smith's third CD, "3rd Street Improv," is a live solo electronic piano album performed and produced by Rich Smith. It's a collection of improvisations recorded directly from Rich's live performances at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, California. The recordings were made during the summer of 2000, except for "Angels Sing," which was recorded on Halloween night in 1999. It covers the full spectrum of styles improvised by Rich during that time: neoclassical is the main style (with many variations - styles within the style), but also covered are: jazz, blues, ragtime, art rock, world, & new age. CD cover photo by Maki Komura Album graphic design by Scott A. Crutcher / www.axisi.com Additional album photos by Toni Zeto and Marc Antony Pickering not shown on this page Electrifying, inspirational, cinematic, romantic, passionate, healing, joyful, fun, spontaneous, soulful.... Recording method: Direct to digital, mostly at 48KHz; "Angels Sing" was recorded to analog, then converted to 48KHz digital. No microphones were used, so you won't be able to hear any background noises on the CD. Release date: April 21, 2001 TRACK LISTING: 1. Romance 9:10 2. E Flat Jazz 8:04 3. Passion 11:07 4. F Blues 7:19 5. For Lovers 5:05 6. Let's Just Have Fun ! 7:41 7. Sharing Stories 3:29 8. The Dancer 10:28 9. Song to Heaven 7:26 10. Angels Sing 2:58 CD total playing time: 73:12 All tracks P & © 2000 Rich Smith / Rich Smith Music (ASCAP) except track 10: P & © 1999 Rich Smith / Rich Smith Music (ASCAP) REVIEWS: 'Beautiful music, diverse, passionate, original, masterfully played, innovative, very visual and cinematic. Inspiring and uplifting to the soul. You get wrapped up in it and it carries you on.' ~ Christine Sofiane, Soprano 'Rich Smith's improvisational skills are absolutely mesmerizing...he takes you on an unforeseen and unexpected journey into a sound world that runs the gamut from classical to jazz to the more popular vein. Listening to Rich is a joy.' ~ Steve Linder, Manager, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra '"3rd St. Improv" not only again displays Rich Smith's "great" skills as a Composer and a Musician, but also brings out emotions, feelings... energy! ..... my absolute favorites are: #1 "For Lovers" (Very filled with feeling, romantic... I feel a touch of sadness in it!). #2 "The Dancer" (A sad, beautiful melody at first... filled later with different moods... some of them very energizing!). I also love the last 'passage' of "Romance".... and of course, Rich shows what he can really do with a 'Pianoforte' in "Let's Just Have Fun !".... "BRAVO", "BRAVISSIMO"!!!!' ~ Liviana dall'Italia QUOTES ABOUT RICH SMITH 'From the first time I watched Rich Smith perform, it's so memorable and unforgettable that the impact lasted. It's like when you see a movie and it stays with you for a lifetime. His music possesses a very strong sense of melodic flow, though improvised, as if it was played many times before. I've never seen anything like it. It's soaring, mesmerizing, amazing!' ~ Guy Marshall, Los Angeles Producer 'Rich Smith is an exemplary pianist/composer whose music excites me with every stroke of the keys. His music is varied and wonderful. Go see him!' ~ Mark Ferber, Los Angeles Philharmonic Association 'Rich Smith has the ability to move audiences with his improvisations like I've never seen before!' ~ Paul Tavenner, Los Angeles Producer