User:Lovet2write/sandbox

= Introduction =

Neil Rosengarden is a singer-songwriter as well as a multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and session musician. In 1971 he was notably a session musician for Atlantic Records producer, Arif Mardin. His instrumental emphasis varies based on the music he's composing or live performance. They include trumpet, piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, vibraphone, French horn, valve trombone, and percussion. Although he has a created a treasure chest of original recorded music, he has also worked in the studio with Aretha Franklin, Nanci Griffith, Doug Sahm, John Prine, P.F. Sloan, Brook Benton, Allison Moorer and Jerry Reed. Of his original music as a singer-songwriter and author Paul Zollo in American Songwriter has said:

“He [Neil Rosengarden] has dedicated himself to writing and recording his own remarkable music, including his landmark album Ohio, which was reviewed as ‘a library of mankind’s greatest music… a profusion of riches.’ It’s there you get the totality of his musical expression, from folk and funk through rock & roll and orchestral, all united by a singular heart of deep soul, chromatic whimsy, and deep melodics."

= Early Life & Career =

Neil Rosengarden was born on September 8th, 1952 in Long Island, New York. His parents were Robert(Bobby) and Dorothy Rosengarden. Bobby was a well-known drummer on national television appearing regularly on live television shows including Steve Allen, Dick Cavett and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Due to his father’s success, Rosengarden recalls meeting and knowing many famous people Steve Allen, Louis Nye, Alan Sherman and Ernie Kovacs.

Rosengarden’s unique musical gift was recognized by his parents nearly from birth. When he was two-years-old they noticed had a natural ear for music  He began piano lessons when he was five-years-old. When he was seven-years-old he discovered the trumpet at a summer camp. He found the instrument came easy to him, so he began taking lessons from a local teacher, Howard Cleave, Ph.D. As a child, he could demonstrate his talent by picking up the melody of songs he heard on the radio on piano. When Rosengarden was in middle school, Cleave started a recreational class for neighborhood children on weekends known as 'Saturday Band.' When asked what his primary instrument is, he is apt to say whatever instrument he is playing a the time. Throughout his life, he has been able to adapt to a variety of instruments and genres. Rosengarden's professional career began at when he was seven singing for commercial's on television. His career continued in 1961 at age nine when he appeared opposite legendary trumpet player, Al Hirt, on his NBC television special, Home for the Holidays. =Influences & Rock'n'Roll Transformation =

In 1958, when Rosengarden’s parents were in Japan they bought a phono box, a modern-for-its-day record player with a radio included in it. His first experience in adolescence finding a connection with rock ‘n’ roll music came when he first heard, “Walk on By,” by Dionne Warwick. The song, produced by Phil Spector, was a turning point, that led him to decide to live his life as a musician.

But, it was in 1964, when he first heard The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show that his love for rock music became a revolutionary force in his life. At a time when the U.S. pop music charts when songs like "Roses are Red," and "Ramblin' Rose" were regulars on the radio, The Beatles were an exciting and energizing change for Rosengarden. = The Atlantic Years =

In the Fall of 1970, Rosengarden began to write songs. While in college he recorded a song which eventually was chosen as the closing theme for the Dick Cavett Show. In 1970 while at a party in California, Rosengarden spoke with legendary producer Jerry Wexler. It was a connection that led to him being hired by Arif Mardin as his assistant at Atlantic Records for $100.00 per week. For the next two years, he would work with some of the most successful artists in the music business. In 1971 he worked on the debut John Prine album writing lead sheets and playing bass. The album was recorded in Memphis at American Studios. He also was an assistant producer on Herbie Mann's album Push, Push and working with Duane Allman. In 1972, he recorded a solo album for the label titled Some of the Things We Do. The album was shelved and went unreleased until 2006.

Rosengarden's songwriting began to flourish in 1973 when he formed a band with friends from high school. They were hired as the house band in Spring Valley, New York at a club called Chateau D' Vie. They were called Hard Candy for such acts as Bobby Lewis, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, and The Platters.

In 1974 Rosengarden began writing jingles for Dick Lavsky's Music House. During this time two of his original songs ("We Don't Make 'em Anymore" and "It Moves Me") were included in Howard Smith's 1977 documentary, Gizmo(provide a link). After several years recording and performing live shows, in 1983 he moved to San Francisco where he continued to work as a musician. In 1986, Rosengarden was hired as co-music supervisor-with Stephen Reinhardt-for the soap opera, General Hospital. The music for this show was nominated for a Daytime Emmy. In 1986, Rosengarden changed his lifestyle and began writing songs and working in his home studio writing and recording songs. He also worked on two demos for singer-songwriter P.F. Sloan ("Eve of Destruction").

= Solo Work =

Throughout his career, Rosengarden maintains a vital solo career, which includes an archive of recorded works and current studio and live projects. As a singer-songwriter, Rosengarden has applied his instrumentalist and arranging talents to enhance his work. His norm has been to play all of the instruments on his solo albums. He is a prolific songwriter with lyrics that are reminiscent of Randy Newman and music that is kindred to Brian Wilson's solo work. His 2017 solo EP, Four Songs, was co-written with Beach Boy lyricist and spoken-word poet/performer, Stephen Kalinich. Past albums include Ohio, The Plaid Album and Sixteen Tunes and ''What Do You Get."

In 2017, he played as part of a Wild Honey event. Wild Honey is an organization which helps to raise awareness of autism. In 2017, Rosengarden appeared at a tribute as a benefit for The Band in Glendale, California alongside member, Garth Hudson, and many others. Rosengarden continues to arrange, perform, write and record as an independent artist in the Los Angeles area.