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Avalanna - Tribute to Avalanna Routh

I was fortunate to be “Uncle” to a beautiful young lady who had profound impact on many people’s lives. Her name was Avalanna Routh and she was the daughter of one of my dearest friends. Sadly Avalanna contracted a rare brain tumor (ATRT) and lost a valiant battle to it.In her last days in the hospital I felt I had to do something for her, so I sat down at my piano and… improvised this piece and named it for her. And it was as if Avalanna’s indomitable energy inhabited me. What you hear here is a complete improvisation and yet to me it seems fully-composed, completely absent of any mistakes, and tells a little bit of a musical story about Av.I’m in the process of re-recording this properly - i.e. not a capture of a FaceTime on a cell phone. But, well… inspiration like lightning… doesn’t necessarily strike twice.Recording this was one of the most profound musical experiences of my life time.p.s. Av was better known to millions as “Mrs. Bieber” because she also captured Justin Bieber’s heart. (Google “Mrs Bieber Avalanna”.)

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October (Pianistica original)