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About Omar
In a year like no other, the pandemic has wreaked havoc with our health, the economy and our day to day lives, but with the release of The Light Will Come – Omar Akram’s first ever solo piano album – the Grammy Award winning artist, producer, composer and pianist offers us beautiful hope at the end of the proverbial dark tunnel while reminding us that nothing can stop the flow of creativity and determination to bring fans together to experience collective musical joy.
In a year like no other, the pandemic has wreaked havoc with our health, the economy and our day to day lives, but with the release of The Light Will Come – Omar Akram’s first ever solo piano album – the Grammy Award winning artist, producer, composer and pianist offers us beautiful hope at the end of the proverbial dark tunnel while reminding us that nothing can stop the flow of creativity and determination to bring fans together to experience collective musical joy.
When 2020 began, Omar was looking forward to a whirlwind year of international touring in support of his 2019 album Destiny – an epic collection co-produced by legendary pop producer Walter Afanasieff and featuring the 80-piece Slovak Symphony Orchestra conducted by Shardad Rohani (Yanni: Live at the Acropolis). The culmination of his nearly two-decade journey as a recording artist, the years in the making project assembled an ensemble of some of the industry’s top musicians and arrangers, including Steve Oliver, (guitar, bass and arrangement), Ramon Stagnaro (guitar), Joel Taylor, (drums), Navid Kandelousi (violin) and Ramon Yslas (percussion).
The album was mixed by four-time Grammy Award Winning engineer, Dave Reitzas at the iconic Westlake Studios in Hollywood, and its cover was designed by Award-Winning artist and photographer Glen Wexler. After many years of releases on Real Music – including Echoes of Love, winner of the 2014 Grammy for Best New Age Album - Destiny also marked the launch of Omar’s independent label Twinbrook Entertainment.
When COVID-19 hit and cancelled, among other things, Omar’s impending 35 city tour of China, Omar quickly regrouped and, starting in April, transformed his popular behind the scenes YouTube docu-series “Omar’s Music Chamber” into a popular weekly performance platform featuring him playing established hits and new compositions on his Yamaha grand piano or keyboard. The Light Will Come features ten highly improvisational solo piano pieces that Omar composed and debuted during on YouTube during this time.
“The time in quarantine forced me to step back, reflect on my life and think back to how everything started for me, playing piano at the age of six when my family lived in Prague,” says the NYC born, Los Angeles based artist, who grew up the son of a UN diplomat and grew up everywhere from Washington DC, Czech Republic and France to Cuba and his ancestral home of Afghanistan. “In many ways, the songs on The Light Will Come bring everything back to primary elements, and remind me that no matter how large the productions of my albums have been they all start with me playing melodies on the piano.”
When he first started the weekly single performances, Omar drew from his ample discography, which extends back to Opal Fire (2002) and Free as a Bird (2004) – both of which hit the Top 15 on Billboard’s New Age Albums chart. But soon, inspired by the events and effects of the ongoing pandemic and social/racial justice issues, he began composing and playing new works. He had an engineer record the audio of each performance separately, then once he put together the “playlist” for The Light Will Come, he sent it to the legendary Bernie Grundman for mastering.
“The incredible fan support and feedback that I received from my weekly YouTube performances inspired me to gather my favorite of these performances and release them as an album that could bring a bit of lightness and optimism to people as we all struggle through this challenging time,” says Omar. “The process was the complete opposite of Destiny, going in without much pre-production or a lot of forethought. The songs fit the moment nicely because they all reflect me going with the feelings and emotions I had at that moment. I was deeply impacted by everything that was going on in the world, and wrote pieces that captured what was going on with me personally and all that was happening politically in this country.’ I would come into each performance with a simple thread of a melody and an idea that I developed and then improvise around that for the most part.”
Two of the tracks that convey immediate references to events of 2020 are “For George,” a powerful, dynamics filled 8 and a half minute composition dedicated to the memory of George Floyd; and the graceful ballad “Merry,” penned as a thoughtful tribute to Omar’s wife, a doctor who became one of the first frontline professionals to manage and direct COVID-19 sites for homeless people in Los Angeles.
The titles of the other tunes – from “The Light Will Come,” “Hear My Heart” “Waterfall” and “Since I Met You” through “Wish I Could See You,” “Pressing On,” “Caught Dreaming” and “New Morning Sun” – all convey Omar’s various emotional states of mind at the time of composition. Yet each one in its own way, shares the pianist’s overall sense that we’ll get through this, learn the lessons we’re meant to and ultimately feel a sense of exuberance and renewal when that light comes.
During this past year, Omar also launched a new talk show series on his YouTube channel titled Composing Culture, with pop culture influencers engaging in fan-friendly conversations. Thus far, his guests have included actor/director Bill Duke, actor/comedian Maz Jobrani, E! Entertainment co-founder Larry Namer, celebrity trainer Grant Roberts and #1 Billboard charting saxophonist Eric Darius. Omar also wrote his first feature film score for the upcoming political comedy “Lee’d The Way.”
Growing up a true citizen of the world, Omar recalls, “I was always fascinated by musical instruments as a child, so I began taking piano lessons from a member of the Prague Symphony Orchestra, who was one of the top music teachers in the Czech Republic.” Attending many symphonies and ballets, his natural early influences were classical -- first Bach, Mozart and Beethoven, and later, the “Russian School” of Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Stravinsky and Shastakovich. Living in Cuba at age 14, he had the opportunity to chat with none other than Fidel Castro at a diplomatic reception. Omar’s resulting curiosity for Cuban culture led him to local clubs where he talked the musicians into letting him sit in and play Cuban music with them—an experience which resulted in a lifelong love for Latin rhythms and Latin-styled acoustic guitar sounds.
Returning to the U.S., Omar was introduced to the international electronic music of Jean Michel Jarre (France), Kitaro (Japan) and Vangelis (Greece) “which got me into synthesizers and electronic music. That shifted everything and I knew I wanted to try that type of music so I started composing.” Other influences that played key roles in Omar’s musical development include Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Prince. Settling in L.A. in 1993, he began performing everything from solo piano gigs to bars with Top 40 bands, but his wanderlust never ceased; he traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and also jaunted frequently to England and France. He traces his evolution from rigid classical pianist to creating his trademark brand of instrumental pop and world music to the music of George Winston and David Lanz, whose success showed him that he could play the piano but still relax a bit.
“For The Light Will Come,” Omar says, “I chose pieces I felt best shared my sense that, even with all the struggles, shift and changes in our country throughout 2020, I feel optimistic that we will find our way out. One of the silver linings is that so many of these important social issues that were swept under the rug for so long are out in the open, and as long as we confront and deal with them honestly and thoughtfully, we can hopefully get on a path towards more enlightened thinking and important changes that can make life better for everyone. On a personal level, creating the music for this album forced me to return to the essence of who I am as an artist. There’s something magical that happens when you go back to basics.”


Videos
It's Alright - Omar's Music Chamber: Episode 146
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The Making Of Destiny
Omar Akram - "Destiny" Album Release Party In Beverly Hills
The Making Of Here I Am Music Video
Omar Akram - The Bakery Mastering Session
Omar Akram - Westlake Recording Studios mixing session
Omar Akram - In the studio with Shardad Rohani
Omar Akram - Walter Afanasieff session
Midnight Mission Interview
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It's Alright (Episode 146)
I'll Trust You (Episode 145)
We'll Meet Again (Episode 144)
The Right Way (Episode 143)
Just For You (Episode 142)
Inevitable (Episode 141)
I Remember (Episode 140)
Summer Is Gone (Episode 139)
Close To You (Episode 138)
The Garden (Episode 137)
By My Side (Episode 136)
Never Lost (Episode 135)
Surrender (Episode 134)
Beyond Dreams (Episode 133)
Letting Go (Episode 132)
Here I Stand (Episode 131)
Better Place (Episode 130)
Legacy Of Love (Episode 129)
So Close (Episode 128)
Hold On (Episode 127)
You Lift Me Up (Episode 126)
Live For You (Episode 125)
Always Be My Home (Episode 124)
You Are Near (Episode 123)
Fly Like A Bird (Episode 122)
In This Place (Episode 121)
Survivor (Episode 120)
You Really Are (Episode 119)
How Can It Be (Episode 118)
Now Is Forever (Episode 117)
Time To Change (Episode 116)
Open My Heart (Episode 115)
Can't Stop Now (Episode 114)
Night Life (Episode 113)
Sweet Dreams (Episode 112)
Pride (Episode 111)
The Journey (Episode 110)
Alright (Episode 109)
On My Way Home (Episode 108)
You Can Make It (Episode 107)
Episode 106 - "Forever" - Most Beautiful Piano Performance
Episode 105 - "Letting Go" - In Studio Performance
Episode 104 - In Studio Performance "Dancing With A Dream"
Episode #103 - In Studio Performance "Believe Me"
Episode #102 - In Studio Performance "Lost Without You"
Episode #101 - In Studio Performance "Midnight Run"
Episode #100 - In Studio Performance "Never Lost"
Episode #99 - In Studio Performance "Clock"
Episode #98 - In Studio Performance "Let It Rain"
Episode #97 - In Studio Performance "Looking At You"
Episode #96 - In Studio Performance "Every Road"
Episode #95 - In Studio Performance "Missing You"
Episode #94 - In Studio Performance "Second Chance"
Episode #93 - In Studio Performance "Finally"
Omar's Music Chamber: Episode #92 - In Studio Performance "My Prayer"
Episode #91 - In Studio Performance "Resting Place"
Episode #90 - In Studio Performance "Winter Morning"
Episode #89 - In Studio Performance "Romantic Dream"
Episode #88 - In Studio Performance "Joy"
Episode #86 - In Studio Performance "Memories Of You"
Episode #86 - In Studio Performance "Carefree"
Episode #85 - In Studio Performance "Barcelona"
Episode #84 - In Studio Performance "Talk To Me"
Episode #83 - In Studio Performance "Morning Dream"
Episode #82 - In Studio Performance "Silent Whispers"
Episode #81 - In Studio Performance "Mountain Sunrise"
Episode #80 - In Studio Performance "Listen To Me"
Episode #79 - In Studio Performance "Night Sky"
Episode #78 - In Studio Performance "Waves Of Light"
Episode #77 - In Studio Performance "Waves Of Light"
Episode #76 - In Studio Performance "Riding The Sea"
Episode #75 - In Studio Performance "Morning Cloud"
Episode #74 - In Studio Performance "Innocence Of A Child"
Episode #73 - In Studio Performance "Hope For A Better Day"
Episode #72 - In Studio Performance "Secret Dream"
Episode #71 - In Studio Performance "Walk With Me"
Episode #70 - In Studio Performance "Live In The Dream"
Episode #69 - In Studio Performance "Spinning Circles"
Episode #68 - In Studio Performance "Take Your Time"
Episode #67 - In Studio Performance "Living Hope"
Episode #66 - In Studio Performance "Wild River"
Episode #65 - In Studio Performance "Because Of Your Love"
Episode #64 - In Studio Performance "The Time Is Now"
Episode #63 - In Studio Performance "Love For My Son"
Episode #62 - In Studio Performance "I Feel Your Spirit"
Episode #61 - In Studio Performance "Miracle"
Episode #60 - In Studio Performance "Trust In You"
Episode #59 - In Studio Performance "From My Heart"
Episode #58 - In Studio Performance "Through It All"
Episode #57 - In Studio Performance "I Will Stand"
Episode #56 - In Studio Performance "I Hear Rain"
Episode #55 - In Studio Performance "Dusk"
Episode #54 - In Studio Performance "The Brightness"
Episode #53 - In Studio Performance "Insight"
Episode #52 - In Studio Performance "More Than Words"
Episode #51 - In Studio Performance "Your Love Wins"
Episode #50 - In Studio Performance "The Best In Me"
Episode #49 - In Studio Performance "Light The Way"
Episode #48 - In Studio Performance "The One For Me"
Episode #47 - In Studio Performance "What's On Your Mind"
Episode #46 - In Studio Performance "Never Give Up".
Episode #45 - In Studio Performance "Speak To Me"
Episode #44 - In Studio Performance "Floating To Forever"
Episode #43 - In Studio Performance "Beyond Dreams"
Episode #42 - In Studio Performance "Only One"
Episode #41 - In Studio Performance "I Believe"
Episode #40 - In Studio Performance "In The Garden"
Episode #39 - In Studio Performance "Gravity"
Episode #38 - In Studio Performance "In My Dreams"
Episode #37 - In Studio Performance "Forever Together"
Episode #36 - In Studio Performance "Night Flight"
Episode #35 - In Studio Performance "Shining Star"
Episode #34 - In Studio Performance "I'm Free"
Episode #33 - In Studio Performance "Interlude"
Episode #32 - In Studio Performance "Let Me Lean On You"
Episode #31 - In Studio Performance "I'll Fly Away"
Episode #30 - In Studio Performance "A Father's Love"
Episode #29 - In Studio Performance "Beneath The Painted Sky"
Episode #28 - In Studio Performance "Live It Up"
Episode #27 - In Studio Performance "I Can Make It"
Episode #26 - In Studio Performance "Painting Stars"
Episode #25 - In Studio Performance "Second Chance"
Episode #24 - In Studio Performance "Waterfall"
Episode #23 - In Studio Performance "Pressing On"
Episode #22 - In Studio Performance "For Merry"
Episode #21 - In Studio Performance "Hear My Heart"
Episode #20 - In Studio Performance "Since I Met You"
Episode #19 - In Studio Performance "Wish I Could See You Again"
Episode #18 - In Studio Performance "Childhood Memories"
Episode #17 - In Studio Performance Walk With Me
Episode #16 - In Studio Performance "Sparks Fly"
Episode #15 - In Studio Performance "The Light Will Come"
Episode #14 - In Studio Performance "New Morning Sun"
Episode #13 - In Studio Performance "Caught Dreaming"
Episode #12 - In Studio Performance of "For George"
Episode #11 - In Studio Performance of "Keep On" and "Falling Through The Rain"
Episode #10 - In Studio Performance of "We Are One Tonight" and "Last Dance"
Episode #9 - In Studio Performance of "My Story" and "Dancing With The Wind"
Episode #8 - In Studio Performance of "You Are My Hope" and "Take My Hand"
Episode #7 - In Studio Performance of "Holding On" and "Take Me Away"
Episode #6 - Virtual performance of "By Your Side" and "My Promise To You"
Episode #5 - Virtual Performance from the Studio
Episode #4 - Shelter-In-Place Live Performance
Episode #3 - Composing Music (Part 2)
Episode #2 - Composing
Episode #1
Omar Akram - Here I Am Official Video and Release Date Announcement
Omar Akram announces new album Destiny and new weekly series
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Omar Akram - Passage Of The Heart
Omar Akram - Riding The Current
Omar Akram - Here I Am (featuring Walter Afanasieff)
Omar Akram - Stargazers
Omar Akram - Gypsy Woman
Omar Akram - Opal Fire
Omar Akram - Waves of Emotion
Omar Akram - Passage Into Midnight
Omar Akram - Longing
Omar Akram - Beauty Unveiled
Omar Akram - Surrender
Omar Akram - Falling Through The Rain
Omar Akram - Trust Unspoken
Omar Akram - Secret Place
Omar Akram - Desert Flower
Omar Akram - A Day With You
Omar Akram - Flight of Mystery
Omar Akram - Free as a Bird
Omar Akram - Nomad
Omar Akram - Lotus Flower
Omar Akram - Take Me Away
Omar Akram - Dancing With The Wind
Omar Akram - Secret Place
Omar Akram - Nomad (live)
Omar Akram - Precious Memories
Omar Akram - Here I Am (Official Music Video)
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Grammy Award Winning Pianist Gives Tips On Staying CREATIVE During The Pandemic (Episode 19)
Grammy Award Winner Explains Creating A Film Score For A Movie (Episode 18)
Jazz Saxophonist Eric Darius Joins Us for An Interview & Special Performance (Episode 17)
Grant Roberts: The Celebrity Personal Trainer Responsible for Kumail Nanjiani & Hillary Swank (Episode 16)
AZAMAT IS ALIVE! Why Ken Davitian Wasn't in Borat 2! (Episode 15)
Bill Duke Talks About Predator, Directing Sister Act 2 & His Amazing Career in Hollywood (Episode 14)
Actor & Comedian Maz Jobrani Talks Childhood in Iran, His Role as Jimmy Vestvood and Quarantine Life (Episode 13)
From Storage Wars to LA Talk Radio, The Harris Brothers Talk Life in Quarantine & More (Episode 12)
Larry Namer Co-Founder of E! Entertainment Talks About Entertainment During The Pandemic & Fanvestor (Episode 11)
"Hebrew Hammer" Director Jonathan Kesselman on His Career, Gander & Working on 'Jimmy Vestvood' (Episode 10)
Actor & Director Aaron Jay Rome Talks About End Trip, Working with Will Ferrell & His Career (Episode 9)
Randy Greenberg - From Intern To Hollywood Executive Producer of The Meg (Episode 8)
Getting Acting Lessons from Borat Star 'Ken Davitian' (Episode 7)
Oscar Award-winning Sound Editor Richard Anderson Talks Star Wars, Raiders Of The Lost Ark & More (Episode 6)
From Star Trek to Godfather III, John Savage Tells All About His Extensive Acting Career (Episode 5)
The Man Behind Mariah Carey's Music Box & All I Want for Christmas Is You [Walter Afanasieff] (Episode 4)
Hollywood Film Director Erik White on Directing Ice Cube + Working with Biggie & Sean Combs [Diddy] (Episode 3)
The Founder of E! Entertainment on TikTok, Media Success & Content Creation (Episode 2)
Ken Davitian from Borat to The Artist (Episode 1)
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