Bettie Ross profile picture

Bettie Ross

No, I'm NOT the singer...

About Me


Piano CD!!

Bettie Ross
- pianist
- composer

A Magical Time of Year

This is what Bettie had to say about her inspiration for writing this music.

“The end of fall and the beginning of winter are filled with beautiful landscapes of the changing weather: the leafless trees, rain, snow, fog, mists and ice…There are family gatherings—visits with friends—reflections on life and looking ahead to the new year just starting. These things create a Magical Time of Year for me.”

This is Bettie's first recording for Alternative Classical Records. Ten out of the 12 pieces on this CD are brilliant, unique, solo piano; on two pieces she is accompanied by guitar only. Sample this original and distinctive work and you will understand why one of the most noted pianists alive today called Bettie a “great composer”. The work breathes with the life and expression of the Magical Time of Year.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 10/5/2006
Band Website: bettieross.com
Band Members: Bettie Ross (on piano, pipe organ, synthesizers, electric pianos & organs). Frank Blumer (on guitars).
Influences: Keith Emerson (Emerson, Lake & Palmer, early albums), Joe Zawinul (from Canonball Adderly days to Weather Report), Claude Debussy, Ravel, Jan Hammer (especially his "The First Seven Days" album), Rick Wakeman ("Yes" years), Chick Corea (a true piano master in every sense), Chick's "Electrik Band", Joe Sample, Jimi Hendrix, Alan Price of the "Animals", Nicky Hopkins, The Who, Led Zepplin, Morten Lauridsen (his incredible choral compositions), Arvo Part (particularly Symphony No. 3, 3rd movement), Aaron Jay Kernis (especially his "Musica Celestis"), Jerry Goldsmith's score & additional music to "Sum of All Fear" & Yolanda Adam's vocals, Mahavishnu Orchestra (w/Gayle Moran), Duke Ellington, Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, J.S. Bach, Beethoven, Buxtehude, the great organ composer & organist Jehan Alain, Kurt Bestor & Sam Cardon's "Innovators" album, Elton John's early albums, Sting (great songwriter), Earth Wind & Fire, Joni Mitchell, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Mario Feninger (who in his 80's still plays Chopin with such gorgeous lightness and agility), David Campbell (the master arranger-orchestrator-conductor), Mark Isham (particularly his synth work, as in his score for "Crash"), and all fine and passionate music of all genres, anywhere.
Record Label: Alternative Classical Records
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Celestial Navigations performance

Every musician wants to move others and also be moved by the music they play. And I really try to achieve that each and every time I perform. And that special magic happened Saturday night, Feb. 9th...
Posted by Bettie Ross on Mon, 11 Feb 2008 04:09:00 PST

"Candle Dance" in honor of Hannukah

Hi! It's been much too long since I've last written. And now it's Hannukah! I just posted a 6th song on my player: "Candle Dance", from my "A Magical Time of Year" CD. I wrote the piece in honor o...
Posted by Bettie Ross on Wed, 05 Dec 2007 10:50:00 PST

5th song

We can now add a 5th song to our MySpace player! Just use the scroll/slide on the right side of the player -- and you'll find the new 5th song. Very cool!I've added something entirely different: a ...
Posted by Bettie Ross on Thu, 22 Mar 2007 04:09:00 PST

Bettie on www.ckcufm.com this Thursday, Feb. 8th

Bettie's music will be part of the radio show at www.ckcufm.com this Thursday night, 8 Feb 2007. The show airs 9:30-11:00 pm Eastern Standard Time.The show is called "Now's the Time" by Ron Steeds of...
Posted by Bettie Ross on Tue, 06 Feb 2007 07:38:00 PST

Magical Time of Year on iTunes!!

Hi!I just thought I'd let you know that my CD, "A Magical Time of Year" is now on iTunes and 20-some other download stores, such as Sony Connect, Rhapsody, Tradebit, Puretracks, Napster, MusicNow, and...
Posted by Bettie Ross on Sun, 21 Jan 2007 09:04:00 PST

Songwriting

Besides instrumental pieces, I also write songs, usually working with singer-songwriters or lyricists. Most of my songs are VERY different from my instrumental writing...more in the pop and rock genr...
Posted by Bettie Ross on Sat, 20 Jan 2007 11:51:00 PST

New CD available on CD Baby

My new CD, A Magical Time of Year, is now available on CD Baby. Go to http://cdbaby.com/cd/bettieross to hear a sampling of all 12 pieces, and to order the CD. CD Baby is located in Oregon, and ther...
Posted by Bettie Ross on Fri, 15 Dec 2006 08:10:00 PST

4 new pieces from new CD, to be released in Dec.

Hi! I just posted 4 new pieces for my upcoming December 2006 CD: "A Magical Time of Year." Check them out -- all new compositions and all piano solo.I'm in the studio this week and next week finish...
Posted by Bettie Ross on Mon, 13 Nov 2006 12:04:00 PST

Pipe Organ on Meat Loaf's new album

On Halloween 2006, Meat Loaf's 3rd album in the trilogy of "Bat Out of Hell" was released. The first two albums, "Bat Out of Hell" and "Bat Out of Hell II" have sold over 45 million copies (wow!!).Yo...
Posted by Bettie Ross on Wed, 01 Nov 2006 08:36:00 PST

Writing & Recording & Improvisation

Was in the studio tonight recording 2 more pieces for my new CD, "A Magical Time of the Year." It's mainly a piano solo CD, and 2 cuts will be piano & electric guitar. Frank Blumer is an awesome gui...
Posted by Bettie Ross on Fri, 20 Oct 2006 11:40:00 PST