Article published Sunday, December 16, 2007
Singing Duo Brings Home Holiday Spirit

You can’t really say that Kent Marcum and Michael Grajek are hidden in
Addison, Mich., because the piano-vocal duo gets around the United
States, and they pack in crowds when they perform in Lenawee County.

Still, I wish that more people were aware of their stirring music, either in
person or via their CDs which I happen to have playing as I write. The
“East Coast-West Coast” disc is not required for inspiration today
because only last evening I was one of about 200 people in the auditorium
at the Lenawee County Christian Center listening to Kent and Michael and
the other musicians they invited to join them in their annual Christmas
concert.

Here in Lenawee we use first names comfortably. The duo’s concerts,
though impressive with classical, religious, and original compositions,
are casual and sometimes impromptu. As an example, Kent asked that
his four great-nephews be brought on stage so that the audience “could
meet the family.”

The folksy interruption was an appropriate introduction to “In a Child’s
Eye.” Kent wrote the music when one of his young relatives was sitting on
the piano bench listening intently to every note. The music is his
interpretation of the young boy’s thoughts.

The concert’s theme “Love Came Down at Christmas” is the title of a new
piece that has been submitted to television.
In the meantime, there is a hint of pride when he is reminded that the 20
compositions sent to Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions were accepted.
Is it possible any are used on the Oprah show?

Kent is the senior in the duo. The choral instructor at Addison High
School, he reached the heart of the audience when 50 Addison middle
and high school students joined him and Michael on stage to sing back-up.

Nineteen-year-old Michael, whose voice radiates in the pieces he and
Kent have collaborated on as well as in rock numbers and hymns, was
Kent’s student in middle and high schools in Addison.

Michael remembers singing Disney tunes when he was 5 years old, but
didn’t get serious about singing until he was 10 and sang in a school
concert. Now, as he approaches his 20th birthday in February, singing is
his life’s ambition.

Kent is billed as a pop/new age pianist and keyboard poet and considers
himself a spiritual gardener who cultivates music that is aimed at
nurturing the soul.

His first nurturing for the piano was when he was 5 years old. When an
older sister began taking piano, their mother insisted that Kent tag along
for lessons. It was love at first sight of the keyboard for Kent. His sister
quit the lessons, but he continued There was no piano at home for him to
practice on but each day his mother took him to the Rollin Baptist Church
to practice for a half hour.

Kent studied at Interlochen Arts Academy, North Texas State University,
and did graduate work at Eastern Michigan University.

I first heard Kent and Michael in concert last fall at the little country
church, where their fan club is legion. From that rural setting, they have
traveled far together and separately to perform and record.

Michael sang “Summertime” on the Good Morning America show in New
York last July. Kent has performed at the Pisana Palace in Rome, and of
course all over Michigan. They have performed at the Renaissance Hotel
in Hollywood and the Chattanooga Choo Choo in Tennessee.

On Jan. 10 they are the opening program for a four-day music festival at
the Tecumseh Civic Auditorium, Tecumseh, Mich., and in June they will
travel to Kauai, Hawaii, to meet with music executives. “The Twelve
Songs of Christmas,” a CD of all piano solos, is available through www.
kentmarcummusic.com.
Mary Alice Powell is a former Blade food editor.
» E-mail her at mpowell@theblade.com
» Read more Mary Alice Powell columns at www.toledoblade.com/powell

Kathy Parsons
Solo Piano Publications
3/7/06


The Journey
Kent Marcum
2004 / Amazin’ Blue Publishing
39.6 minutes

“The Journey” is a very enjoyable collection of four piano solos, six
piano and ensemble pieces, and one vocal track composed and performed
by Kent Marcum on piano and keyboards and several other musicians on
percussion, guitars, bass, and violin. The music is varied in style,
but is mostly upbeat and optimistic.

“Photograph Of My Heart” opens the CD with piano and keyboards in
something of a soliloquy. Reflective and a little wistful, it’s a
lovely beginning! “Midnight Air” is a piano solo that is peaceful but
also has a sense of movement. I really like “Falling Waters,” which is
piano, rain stick, drums, and keyboard. The piano sparkles and flows
like dancing water and never stops moving. Great stuff! The title track
is another favorite and has a bigger sound than most of the others.
Featuring piano, guitars, drums, and bass, the different themes convey
the changing scenery and events on a journey - some are dark, some are
exciting, and some are calm. Marcum weaves these changing themes
seamlessly. “Dancing In Belfast” is a lively Celtic-flavored duet for
piano and violin. “Tell Me When To Start” features the vocals of
Michael Grajek, and is a sweetly emotional love song. “As Our Love
Begins to Grow” is a gentle and tender ballad that tugs at the
heartstrings. “In My Father’s Garden” is a love song of a different
type - a memorial and tribute that I can really relate to. A beautiful
garden can be so evocative, as this piece clearly demonstrates - a very
lovely piece! “As Long As We’re Together” is a joyful love song and a
lovely closing to a great album.

“The Journey” is available from www.kentmarcummusic.com and
www.cdbaby.com. Enjoy!


Playtime
Kent Marcum
2005 / Amazin’ Blue Publishing
52 minutes

“Playtime,” the fifth release by pianist/composer Kent Marcum, is
made up of piano solos and piano with keyboard
embellishment/accompaniment. Mixing pop, classical, jazz, and new age
styles, Marcum’s playing and composing approaches are fresh and upbeat.
I thought it was interesting that Marcum put the ensemble-type (“type”
because Marcum is the only listed artist) pieces in the first half of
the CD and the piano solos in the second half.

The CD opens with the title track, a carefree ode to playtime. Rhythmic
and dancing, the percussion really propels the piece. “In a Child’s
Eyes” is much quieter and more delicate with piano and strings.
Conveying deep love and innocence, this is a very beautiful piece.
“Love Has Come Down To Stay” is one of my favorites despite an odd
percussion that sounds a little like air pressure or steam escaping.
Still, the melody is lovely and passionate, and the piano and cello are
so good together. “San Juan” is a breezy, rhythmic confection that all
but twirls out of the CD player. “Morning Mist” is a piece for guitar
and ethereal synth sounds. Simple and elegant, this one is quite
different from the other tracks, but fits in very well. “The First Star
That I See Tonight” is the first of the true piano solos. Returning to
a feeling of childlike innocence and wonder, the gentle melody has an
easy flow. “Spanish Lullaby” is another favorite. Also a solo, the
minor key takes the mood a little darker although it is still very
peaceful and calm. “Even If My Heart Breaks” is a soulful and emotional
ballad that comes from deep within - very beautiful! “Until We Meet
Again” closes the CD with a sweetly passionate ballad that is full of
longing and love.

“Playtime” is a very interesting and enjoyable CD, and Kent Marcum is
an artist who obviously has something to say with his music. His CDs
are available at www.kentmarcummusic.com and www.cdbaby.com.

Kathy Parsons
Solo Piano Publications
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