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American Songs Reborn
- Westford, MA
- Jazz Pianist
- Travels up to 150 miles
- $300 and up
Overview
I specialize in the Great American Songbook, which consists of thousands of jazz standards by Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin, Hoagy Carmichael, Jerome Kern, Harold Arlen, Billy Holiday, the Gershwin brothers, and many other great songwriters from the 1920s, 30s, 40s, and 50s. I also perform more recent songs, from Billy Joel, Elton John, the Beatles, and Bob Dylan, to Adele, Randy Newman, Alicia Keys, and Lady Gaga. Christmas music (both sacred and pop) is one of my specialties. I’m happy to work with clients, to include their favorite songs. If appropriate, I can include my own original songs. And I’m flexible, in that I can perform just piano, piano and voice, or a mix of both.
2 Reviews
Philip served as our Easter pianist and did an outstanding job. He was punctual, prepared, person stepping in for a congregation with high expectations. We could not have ask for more to enhance the service. The feedback I and our pastor received at the First United Methodist Church was extremely positive with requests for Philip to join us in the future for special events which may or may not be secular.
Pianist
Response from American Songs Reborn:
Thank you, Zelda, for the kind and energetic review. Worshiping with you all was an uplifting experience for me. I look forward to working with you again. Alleluia!
Phillip was superb playing pop and religious Christmas songs at our party. We’re looking forward to booking him in July for our Independence Day party too. Everyone loved the music and the event calling and texting praises.
Pianist
Response from American Songs Reborn:
Robert, it was great to meet you and your son, plus play piano and sing in your beautiful home. You and your guests were very friendly and kind, so I look forward to returning some day. I wish the best of holidays to you all!
Booking Info
Price Range: $300 and up
Gig Length: 60 - 240 minutes
Languages: English
What to Expect
I always dress well for the stage, with a sport jacket and slacks (or tuxedo, if you prefer). I'm always courteous and friendly my clients and their guests. After all, I want everyone to have good time!
I'm flexible, and I like to communicate with each client before the event. That way, I know what they want and need. Based on client feedback, I know what repertoire of songs I should perform (or avoid), how much I should interact with the audience (if at all), and whether we'll include song requests, sing-alongs, or soloists from the audience.
About
Hey, folks! My name is Philip Russom, and I'm a conservatory-trained musician, specializing in piano and voice performances of songs from the Great American Songbook. In the late 1970s, I earned Masters and Bachelor degrees from the University of North Texas (music major with computer science minor). In the early 1980s, I earned a Masters and PhD from Yale University (major in music theory with music history minor). Until the late 1990s, I worked as a jazz performer and a music professor at Yale, Indiana, Penn State, and Brandeis Universities. While working as a musician, my "side hustle" was working part time as an expert in certain data center and information technology disciplines.
Just before the turn of the century, I changed careers and become one of the world's leading industry analysts for big data, advanced analytics, and other data management disciplines. Performing as a musician then became my "side hustle."
Two years ago, I retired, but I still work in both of my careers. I have a small consulting practice as an industry analyst for data and analytics, and I regularly perform as a pianist and/or singer in private parties, restaurants, and community concerts.
Additional Booking Notes
See Stage/Setup Requirements
Services Offered
Set List
I have lead sheets for over 1000 songs from the Great American Songbook (jazz and swing style music). And I know another 100 popular songs in other styles (rock, pop, folk, Broadway, and sacred). For each gig, I pull from these large repertories to create a unique song list that addresses my understanding of what the client needs and wants. Note that some gigs require me to be a solo pianist, some require me to be a singing pianist, and others require a mix of both. Requirements like this will affect the songs I select for a gig.
Here are some representative samples of songs I perform regularly.
Jazz and Swing = My Funny Valentine, Misty, I Left My Heart in San Franciso, Georgia on My Mind, Mood Indigo, Blame It On Youth, What a Wonderful World, One For My Baby, On The Sunny Side Of The Street, Skylark, In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning, I’ve Got the World On A String, You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Loves You, I’m In The Mood For Love, They Say It’s Wonderful, Let’s Fall In Love, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, The Nearness of You, I Only Have Eyes for You, You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby, What Are You Doing For The Rest Of Your Life?, As Time Goes By, The Shadow Of Your Smile, Make Someone Happy, Come Fly With Me, Prelude To A Kiss, There Will Never Be Another You, The More I See You, Solitude, Moon River, Someone To Watch Over Me, The Party’s Over, Old Devil Moon, The Way You Look Tonight, Pick Yourself Up, All The Things You Are, Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead, Somewhere Over The Rainbow, If I Only Had A Brain, I’m Old Fashioned, Jeepers Creepers, It’s Only A Paper Moon, Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, I Got It Bad and That Ain’t Good, Satin Doll, Blues In The Night, Cheek To Cheek, Blue Skies, Forty-Second Street, Serenade in Blue, Nancy With The Laughing Face, On A Clear Day, Here’s That Rainy Day, Polka Dots and Moonbeams, Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep, Call Me Irresponsible, Stardust, Stormy Weather, Ol’ Man River, Heart and Soul, Body and Soul, We’re In The Money, Darn That Dream, All The Way, But Beautiful, Charade, Exactly Like You, I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, I Thought About You, It’s Easy To Remember, Come Rain Or Come Shine, They Can’t Take That Away From Me, Change Partners, Steppin’ Out With My Baby, Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend, How High The Moon, Tenderly, Fly Me To The Moon, I Wished On The Moon, You Took Advantage of Me, I Love You, God Bless The Child, Gee Baby Ain’t I Good To You, Cry Me A River, Good Morning Heartache, When Sunny Gets Blue, Willow Weep For Me, Angel Eyes, etc…
Rock, pop, etc. = Alfie, Always Remember Us this Way, Hallelujah, She’s Got a Way, Desperado, To Make You Feel My Love, Close To You, Sorry Seems to Be The Hardest Word, Ruby’s Arms, Always On My Mind, Imagine, How Long Will I Love You?, Almost Blue, Can’t Help Falling In Love, Marie, Honest, Annie’s Song, Something, Wichita Lineman, On Eagles’ Wings, Precious Lord Take My Hand, By The Time I Get To Phoenix, Galveston, Crazy, People, America The Beautiful, When I’m Sixty-Four, Leaving On A Jet Plane, In My Life, New York State of Mind, etc…
Christmas Music = I have over three hours of music, including a mix of sacred and pop songs.
Influences & Inspiration
Great jazz pianists, such as Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson, Fred Hirsch, Danillo Perez. I studied with Tim Ray.
Great jazz singers, such as Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Bing Crosby, Mel Torme, Nat King Cole, Billy Holiday, Gregory Porter, Nina Simone, Johnny Hartman
Great jazz songwriters, such as Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin, James van Heusen, Harry Warren, Jule Styne, George and Ira Gershwin, Hoagy Charmichael, Johnny Mercer, Sammy Cahn, Rogers and Hart.
Recent Singer/Songwriters, such as Billy Joel, Elton John, Hank Williams, Springsteen, Randy Newman, James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Lady Gaga, John Legend, Lana del Ray, Trombone Shorty
Setup Requirements
Most venues provide me with: Grand piano (in good condition and recently tuned)
If I'm to sing (or talk to the audience), the venue should also supply a mic on a boom stand (connected to a public address (PA) system)
If necessary, I can bring my own digital piano and mic/PA, but I need to know that far in advance of the event. Due to the time required to set up equipment, it's unlikely I can give a discount on my fee.