CD fulfills a pianist's longtime goal

By Mike Osegueda
The Fresno Bee

(Updated Friday, February 27, 2004, 5:20 AM)

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Ken Fritz

Some kids are dragged to the piano, forced to take lessons.

"This isn't something like that," says Ken Fritz.

At 15, Fritz decided for himself he wanted to play the piano. For the next 25 years he played for himself, his family and friends, all the while creating his own compositions.

Now, Fritz finally is realizing his dream of releasing a CD of his solo piano work.

"It felt like the right time for me," Fritz says. "I had been writing music for quite a while now. But then it seemed like the time was right to put it all together."

That resulted in a 10-track album called "Dream Clouds."

"It is a dream, as you can gather from the title," Fritz says.

"The piano -- it becomes my sound canvas to paint musical expressions and embrace experiences. I find that when I first sit down at the piano, some of my best musical ideas come forth at that time."

Style: "It's combined elements of jazz, blues, pop, Latin and neo-classical," Fritz says. "Probably if it were to be classified, it would be in the new age section."

Why should you buy? "The main purpose is to share with others positive experiences and positive feelings in a musical art form," he says. "It's my intent to simply perform this heartfelt music for listening, to feel relaxed and inspired."

You might like this CD if you're a fan of: Liz Story, George Winston, Suzanne Ciani and Jim Chappell.

It's perfect for: "It's music for relaxing, healing, positive thinking, dreaming, viewing works of art, visualizing beautiful natural settings. The music provides a peaceful background for conversation. A good time would be while enjoying coffee or tea."

What's the most Fresno thing about this CD? Fritz says he draws inspiration for his music from places of natural beauty such as Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks. Walking around his Fresno neighborhood or the old Fig Garden area gets his creative juices flowing, he says.

Where can you test-drive the music? He's performing twice at the Rogue Performance Festival, where he'll be joined by his son, Edward. The first concert is at 4:30 p.m. March 6 and the second at 7 p.m. March 7. Both are at Veni Vidi Vici and cost $3. Also, audio samples are online at http://www.kenfritzmusic.com/.

Key tracks: "Your Dream is My Dream," "Mi Cielo" and "Minds Through the Strait."

How much does it cost? Around $10.

Where can you find it? On his Web site, Tower Records, Miller Sheet Music, Chase Flower Shop, Javawava, Avi Ano Coffee and Central City Cafe.

Find out more: Online at http://www.kenfritzmusic.com/.

If you're a local musician with a new compact disc, let Mike Osegueda know about it at 441-6479 or

mosegueda@fresnobee.com.