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Newsletter
End-Of-Year Update (2008)
Noisemakers Album
2008 has been an extremely busy year for Bruce. He’s worked on multiple projects, mostly for release in 2009. The new Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers record, consisting of 13 songs to date, is in the mixing stage. The recording and mixing has taken place in Virginia and Los Angeles. The record is being produced by Bruce and longtime friend Tony Berg, for whom Bruce played on Squeeze and Edie Brickell records in past years. Songs include a writing collaboration with Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter titled “Cyclone”, an Eric Clapton guitar solo on “Space is the Place”, and an R.S. Hornsby solo on “Continents Drift”, one of several songs written with Bruce’s little childhood friend Chip deMatteo.
Kobe
Bruce has composed his first film score, for a documentary on Kobe Bryant by old friend and frequent collaborating partner Spike Lee. Bruce has written about 35 minutes of music for the film. An intimate inside look at an NBA contest between the Lakers and the Spurs, the film will air on ESPN in April, 2009.
“World’s Greatest Dad”
A new Robin Williams movie, written and directed by Bobcat Goldthwait, titled “World’s Greatest Dad”, features lots of Bruce music; new songs, older songs, a cover of Louis Jordan’s “Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby” performed by Bruce and John D’Earth, and Bruce singing the minor key “Mandolin Rain” solo piano version. Bruce makes an appearance and has two speaking lines in the film (he was 0 for 2). The movie premieres at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
SCKBSTD
The musical play “SCKBSTD” written by Bruce, Chip deMatteo, and novelist-playwright Clay Chapman had its first reading in November in New York. Highly regarded Broadway director Kathleen Marshall and respected musical director Kim Grigsby of “Spring Awakening” fame have joined the creative team. Twelve songs have been written so far. The long process continues….
Miami Program
Bruce’s Creative American Music Program is up and running full steam at his alma mater, the University of Miamai, where the first classes were taught this fall. A very strong, talented group of student-musicians are enrolled in the program. Bruce made three appearances at the school in ’08, including the “Bruce and Friends” concert in October with Steve Miller, Ricky Scaggs, Patti Austin, Jon Secada, and many, many, many more.
For information on the program, go to http://www.creativeamericanmusic.net.
Grammy Nomination
Bruce received his thirteenth Grammy nomination in early December for his work with Pat Metheny, Jerry Douglas, and Charlie Haden on the instrumental track “Is This America? (Katrina 2005)” from the Haden Family album “Rambling Boy”. This nomination gives Bruce the opportunity to become a ten-time Grammy loser.
Live and Live Downloads
A moderately busy touring year included about 15 Noisemakers dates, 30 Skaggs-Hornsby dates, and some solo piano concerts. Bruce also played for Mikhail Gorbachev and Former President George H. Bush in Philadelphia, an event for Michelle Obama, and a rally for Barack Obama. (Bruce voted for Senator John Warner in 2002!) With all of the writing, recording and touring activity, there has not been time to put together another free Noisemakers concert download for the holiday season, but at some point in 2009, the hardworking crew will deliver a best-of package culled from the 2008 summer shows for all who care. Thanks always for being interested, and have a wonderful 2009.
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