The one thing that has sustained my interest in music throughout my life is the pleasure it has given me. Music can be intellectually and physically challenging and can help us overcome the difficult times we all face throughout life. I feel certain most of the great musicians became that way because music brought them an inner joy with an outlet for self-expression utilizing the infinite capacities of organized sound. My hope is that you, the listener, will share with me the fun that I had in composing, practicing, and performing the twenty pieces in “Chameleon Eyes.” (Rich Martin, composer and pianist) Rich Martin began his career as a professional musician when he was sixteen, playing piano and accordion for parties, dances, weddings, and in nightclubs. He spent one summer playing on a cruise ship to Asian ports, and several summers playing in Nevada casinos. After graduating from San Francisco State University with a degree in music, he began a highly successful 31-year career teaching instrumental music in the public schools to elementary and intermediate school students. Many adult musicians today credit Rich Martin with being the inspiration behind their love and passion for music. He has taught piano and accordion privately as well since he was a teenager – something he continues to do in his years of retirement. One of his special gifts has been music composition and songwriting. He has written hundreds of pieces in various styles – jazz for musicians, country/western and pop songs (music and lyrics), and a variety of other musical compositions including charts for elementary jazz bands and reflections of styles from earlier eras, all done with his own distinctive flair. Rich hopes to match his CD’s of original solo piano music with perhaps the 1% of the people who enjoy much of the same music he does. He believes his strongest assets are crafting memorable melodies and danceable rhythms. If you love Rap, Hip-Hop, Heavy Metal, Contemporary Rock, New Age music, or Elvis, this CD is probably not for you. On the other hand, please give Rich a try if you enjoy the melodies of Gershwin, Porter, Rodgers, and Kern; or the jazz of Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Erroll Garner, Miles Davis and Charlie Parker. Thanks for listening.