“Art On The Piano” is a collection of eleven pieces of art, if you will, in which the “brushstrokes” are played out on the keys of the piano. Each piece is meant to draw the listener into another aspect of coming into the present, through the five senses.
“A Blackberry Sky” reflects what I call “after the sunset”, in which the sky is streaked with deep purples and indigos, as rich as a ripe blackberry…and when one takes that in, can go on seemingly forever…
“Butterfly” describes the elegant, exquisitely beautiful grace of the butterfly, as it effortlessly glides and lights silently, yet so majestically…
“In the Quiet” speaks of the deep, reverent peace we can attain only when we let the debris of our mind go…indeed, the answers to our questions can be found in the quiet…
“Jellies”, which is short for”jellybeans” was a lot of fun to compose. It speaks of the “challenge“ one meets when posed with the decision of which jellybean to choose amongst a bowl of all the different colors and shapes and flavors… this song is best enjoyed with a handful of “jellies“ :)
“The Room” is that place in each of us that, when healed, yields our greatest potential in our life purpose. The melody intentionally has dissonances, reflecting the imperfections and “gray areas” of our life’s journey. There is relief near the end, portrayed in sequencing elements, when clarity and peace are once again revealed.
“Repose” is about “rest”, specifically mental rest…the complete surrender to the present moment, to access the much-needed restoration of the emotional system, to attain the peace we seek and require for our health and well-being.
“Walk with the Trees” reflects the ancient, lovely groundedness we can easily access when walking barefoot amidst a grove of trees; the deep peace and healing the trees can provide us.
Enjoy, and may the music continue to lighten your days…
~holly jones
Rating: 
4 reviews
Artful keyboard magic Holly Jones – ART ON THE PIANO: This is my first listen to Holly’s artful keyboard magic, but I can tell you right now that it certainly won’t be my last… I found the following video (from an earlier album) that shows her creating LIVE with the Prague Metropolitan Orchestra…
…pure and simply lovely, isn’t it? To view more of Holly’s moving works, be sure to SUBSCRIBE to her YouTube video channel – I did, right away.
Since the album doesn’t go live until October 18th, 2019, you will need to trust my ears (I’ll come back as soon as I’m notified it’s gone live, and add the samples in)… one of the most striking compositions on the release is the simply titled “Butterfly”… as Holly states in the liner notes – “”I wish for my music to reach the truth in each person listening… to help them take pause in the busyness of life and to bring them peace and clarity“… the fanciful flights she takes with her brush (i.e., her keyboard) on this 5:00 composition will make you feel the flitting wings she is portraying… I believe this song will be getting some MAJOR airplay!
The title track, “Art on the Piano”, will mesmerize you; if you listen to it (at least for your first sitting) with your headphones on, you’ll realize you are in the presence of a true piano master.
Holly doesn’t “dazzle” you with rills and trills, but is able to use the “silent spots” to let you fill in your own scenery, especially on pieces like the wonderfully calming “Stillness of Brilliance”… I (truly) believe that this song will be nominated for (and WIN) awards!
Of the eleven sensual pieces Holly sonically “paints” for us, I found “Repose” to be an immediate personal favorite… her “pacing” is pure perfection, and she always keeps the listener in mind… (I would love to see a LIVE video of this piece on her YouTube channel – hint! hint!).
I give Holly a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) score of 4.99 for this splendid sonic and visual piano adventure. Get more information on Holly’s website. Rotcod Zzaj
In Holly Jones’ music is a quiet elegance that seems contradictory to the world we live in. To be heard these days, you have to be LOUD. Everywhere we go there are noises and a constant battle for our attention. The magic in Jones’ music is that it makes us listen. Her new album is called “Art on the Piano.” It is a collection of 11 gentle pieces, focusing on precious moments and beautiful tableaus. It is art with a purpose.
Born in Owensboro, Kentucky Holly began studying violin at age three, piano at eight, and creating compositions on the piano by nine. Her training includes many years of private study, as well as private piano and composition study at Indiana University. Holly’s solo piano debut album, “Traveler” was released in 2003. As a physical therapist, Holly has an inherent understanding of the healing power of music. Her second album, “Storyteller”, was released in 2016, followed by the orchestrated version of “Storyteller” in 2017.
A Blackberry Sky
The album opener is called “A Blackberry Sky.” You’ll notice right away Jones’ soft playing. It is not that she uses little force on the keys, but the whole expression is refreshingly quiet and light. It makes the listener relax, breathe, and think. There’s a hint of melancholy here that instantly connects with the soul. The melody is gorgeous. In short; “A Blackberry Sky” is a fantastic start to the album!
“Butterfly” is up next. If you close your eyes, you can see the colorful butterfly before your inner eye. The song has the elegance of Debussy or Ravel. I like how the rhythm seems to follow the movements of a butterfly; suddenly still, then flying, before landing gracefully on the next flower. It is a peaceful image.
In the Quiet
Then it is time for some silent reflection; “In the Quiet” starts carefully. There’s a touch of sadness that quickly changes into positive, bright notes. I love the song’s warm and loving atmosphere. There’s a universal truth here; it is in the quiet you’ll find the answers to life’s big questions.
The title track is a fascinating piece. There’s something deeply poetic about the melody; It seems to stop, then it continues, brighter and more alive. It truly is an artwork coming to life on the piano. It is also fine art in a nutshell, how it keeps evolving and unraveling new insights. Take it from me; It is a song you will need to listen to more than once to fully decode.
Stillness of Brilliance
One of the most delicate pieces on “Art on the Piano” is “Stillness of Brilliance.” It is a hopeful song, fresh and uncomplicated as a spring morning. The 5 minutes and 36 seconds seem to fly away. What a brilliant song, perfect!
“Cry for Happy” is a beautiful contrast to “Stillness of Brilliance.” The sorrowful and slow melody instantly sets a different mood. It is not without hope, though. Inside the sadness is a hidden source of joy, something that’s waiting for the right moment. Happiness will, eventually, break free, and tears will be replaced by laughter.
Jellies
The short “Jellies” is a positive and warm piece, focusing on good memories. Moving on, “The Room” is a song balancing on the edge of melancholy. I love how Jones communicates many different feelings at once. This room is not just a space, but a symbol of times gone by and everything that happened here. Words cannot express these feelings. The piano, on the other hand, tells the story as it really was.
The two last songs, “Repose” and “Light on the Water”, leave you feeling happy and refreshed long after the album is done playing. Notice the wonderful flow in “Repose”. There are so many different twists and turns, before fading into the joyous “Light on the Water.”
In conclusion: When music makes you listen, that’s a sure sign of quality. Holly Jones’ “Art on the Piano” is that kind of music. In order to appreciate it, you have to block out the noises of everyday life. Suddenly you’ll find yourself in a world of music that’s both relaxing and inspiring. “Art on the Piano” is a well-balanced and delicate collection of timeless pieces, proving that real art doesn’t need grand effects or loudness. There is a lot of hope in that statement.
Born in Owensboro, Kentucky, Holly Jones began studying violin at age three, piano at eight, and creating compositions on the piano by nine. Years of training, including many years of private study as well as private piano and composition lessons at Indiana University, followed. Holly’s solo piano debut album, “Traveler” was released in 2003. Her second album, “Storyteller,” was released in 2016, followed by the orchestrated version of “Storyteller” in 2017. A physical therapist in Edmond, Oklahoma, Holly has an inherent understanding of the healing power of music. With her fourth release, “Art on the Piano,” Holly has created a self-described “neoclassical impressionistic study that is relaxing and healing for the listener.”
The album opens with the spectacular “Blackberry Sky.” Profound in its simplicity, musical ideas drifting back and forth between the sparkling upper octaves and the darker lower registers of the piano, this piece takes me back to childhood days lying on soft grass experiencing the ever-changing shapes of the clouds overhead. “Butterfly” is a stately, elegant waltz, the left hand accompaniment gently undulating like the wings of a butterfly as it rests on a beautiful flower. “In the Quiet” is restful and meditative and brought to mind a favorite quote from Blaise Pascal: “Think about some of the problems of our daily lives, and how many of them would be eased if we could learn go sit alone, in a quiet empty room, with contentment.” Pensive and brooding, the title track, “Art on the Piano,” brought dark blues and grays to my mind’s eye, creating a mood both somber and tinged with hope. “Stillness of Brilliance” is almost a waking dream, cheerful yet peaceful.
Have you ever had the experience of looking at a beautiful painting and being moved to tears without quite understanding why? That was my experience upon hearing “Cry for Happy.” Both the recognition of beauty and the crying have a healing effect on the soul! “Jellies” moves with the ease of jellyfish swimming in the ocean, gliding effortlessly through the water in a way that is utterly captivating. Dark and languid, “The Room” features a haunting melody over a slow, broken chord left hand accompaniment; “Repose” is calm, peaceful and contemplative, like sitting in a front porch swing at dusk. “Walk with the Trees” is as restorative as a stroll through a fragrant forest. “Light on the Water” has a bit of a Celtic lilt and is a musical depiction of light glittering on ripples of water, bringing the album to a delightful conclusion.
With “Art on the Piano,” Holly has achieved her stated goal as an artist: “I wish for my music to reach the truth in each person listening…to help them take pause in the busyness of life and to bring them peace and clarity. As one tunes into the music it is my intention that it provides a setting of peace…but when one listens closer, it can take them away and always to the best place.” Very highly recommended!
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