John Sawoski will play keyboards Feb. 1st, 3rd, & 6th, 2008, with the national tour of The Wonderful Wizard of Song, and play piano and conduct the show Feb. 14. The show is a tribute to Wizard of Oz Composer Harold Arlen, co-written by American Idol’s Nigel Wright, and featuring Sam Arlen, George Bugatti's Three Crooners, legendary blues artist Barbara Morrison, and a special pre-recorded performance by Tony Bennett, videotaped exclusively for this tour. The band, contracted by Chris Tedesco, also includes drummer Bob Leatherbarrow, string keyboardist Rocky Davis, percussionist Marie Matson, bassist Jim De Julio, guitarist Grant Geissman, and pianist/arranger/musical director Steve Rawlins.
John Sawoski Musical Directs for Academy Award Cinematography Nominees Event
Saturday February 23, 2008 - John Sawoski supervises, arranges, plays, and conducts the music for the Kodak Cinematography Awards Ceremonies (private event for cinematographers nominated for Academy Awards, featuring musical excerpts from the nominated films/TV shows).
For his second year in a row, John Sawoski will play keyboards, along with keyboardists John Beasley and Giovanna Imbesi, as Kim Richmond music directs The 20th Annual Spotlight Awards April 26, 2008 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles Music Center; 7 PM. John Lithgow will be host. Click here for more information. Program will be televised on KCET. Also in the band: bassist Joel Hamilton, drummer Ralph Razze, and guitarist Tom Hynes.
John Sawoski Orchestrates for WebOnly Piano John Sawoski was recently hired to orchestrate for an upcoming project for a company called WebOnly Piano - http://www.webonlypiano.com/ , which produces and distributes PianoDisk and Disklavier recordings with orchestra (sort of music minus one piano, all written around a pre-existing piano part, which is played back live through the acoustic piano, while the recorded orchestra plays through speakers). Sawoski's first two arrangements, Here's That Rainy Day and From A Distance, were recorded January 4 at Capitol Studios in Hollywood http://www.capitolstudios.com/cshome.html with a great group of studio musicians.
The current project, using piano music published by Hal Leonard Publishing Company, will be completed soon, at which time more information and audio samples will be available.
2007 Spotlight Awards Televised on KCET (PBS) John Sawoski's performance with the band in the pit of the 2007 Music Center Spotlight Awards, was broadcast on KCET-TV December 29, 2007. Click here to watch video clips from the broadcast.
Quantum Leap Pianos and Distinguished Musical Colleagues at the NAMM Show January 17-20, 2008 - NAMM http://www.namm.org/Hall A, Booth 6630, Anaheim Convention Center - John Sawoski demonstrated EastWest Quantum Leap Pianos, now shipping after a year and half of editing and programming.
EastWest Quantum Leap Pianos
John Sawoski is the pianist who played every note of the Bosendorfer, Steinway, and Bechstein piano samples included in this beautiful-sounding virtual instrument library.
John was fortunate to have the opportunity to present the Quantum Leap Pianos to many wonderful musicians, including Les Hooper, Alan Steinberger, Mike Lang, Rich Friedman, Benjamin Lewis, Frank Lucas, Patrick DuMont, John "Cheese" Williams, Jeffrey Bayless, Kevin Howard, Jonathan Dane, and many more.
Multi-Platinum hit songwriter/drummer/producer and 2007 ASCAP Award winner John "Cheese" Williams http://www.myspace.com/cheesebeats (photo courtesy of John "Cheese" Williams)
Jonathan Dane, jazz trumpeter, vocalist and composer http://www.jonathandane.com/top_page.htm Appeared with John Sawoski in the film LA Confidential, playing Chet Baker, while Sawoski played Gerry Mulligan.
Listen to audio clips of Irish baritone Sam McElroy recorded at John Sawoski's Studio
Recordings of Danny Boy and The Impossible Dream, which John Sawoski recently played and recorded with Irish baritone Sam McElroy, are now available for free download at http://www.sammcelroy.com/demos.html .
John Sawoski Appears in Sony Pictures' Walk Hard In Sony Pictures' release of "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story," John Sawoski appears as Hammond organist in a rock band featuring actors John C. Riley (Dewey Cox), Matt Besser (guitar), Chris Parnell (bass), and Tim Meadows (drums). Sawoski is also in a scene with Jack White (of White Stripes). Also working on the film were: guitarist Al Vescovo, violinist Alex Gorlovsky, songwriter Mike Viola (of the Candy Butchers), music producer Mike Andrews, Freddie Muntz, John Ennis (playing The Big Bopper), and director Jake Kasdan. For more information on the film, click here. Sideline musicians were contracted by Rick Fleishman of Visual Music. Click below for a clip from the trailer, where Sawoski is seen in the background.
John Sawoski played keyboards at Disneyland's 52nd Annual Candlelight Concert December 1 and 2, 2007, along with the orchestra, 650-voice choir, fanfare trumpeters, handbell choirs, and various soloists.
Sunday, December 16 - John Sawoski accompanied A Festival of Lessons and Carols - 3 pm at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Parish in Los Angeles under the direction of renowned composer Christopher Walker. St. Paul's is located at: 10750 Ohio Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024. Treat yourself to 60 minutes of relaxed yet thoughtful enjoyment as St. Paul's choirs and lectors celebrate the true spirit of the season with a festive hour of the words and music of Christmas.
John Sawoski played keyboards at Disneyland's 52nd Annual Candlelight Concert December 1 and 2, 2007, along with the orchestra, 650-voice choir, fanfare trumpeters, handbell choirs, and various soloists.
April 26 (Saturday) - 
