Composer/contemporary pianist Richard Carr, native of St. Louis, Missouri, has returned to St. Louis after the ravaging of the hurricane Katrina of his home in New Orleans. Carr's approach to creating is one of tapping into the free-flowing consciousness of music, Richard is freely improvising on the spot. There are no sequencing or tracking techniques used during the recording. Everything is recorded in real time without any edits. In this regard, Richard's music has been favorably compared to Keith Jarrett, George Winston and David Lanz. His concerts are highlighted by his apparent ease at the piano or keyboard and his passionate playing. Most of his audiences are also treated with a new composition or improvisation created on the spot. Carr's improvisational composition style is full of melodic lines and rich harmonies indicative of the classical influences of the American, Russian and French composers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Additionally, more modern influences as diverse as Mannheim Steamroller, Tangerine Dream, John Adams, Keith Jarrett, Cole Porter, Thomas "Fats" Waller, Steve Reich, George Winston, and George Gershwin are also evident. The Artist's Notes on Christmas Fireside: "Thinking of Christmas brings fond memories of family gatherings and the bringing together of loved ones who are apart the rest of the year. While growing up, my dad's side of the family would all go to my Grandma's upstairs apartment for Christmas Eve dinner. This couldn't have been an easy undertaking for Grandma, since the family at that time consisted of her own three children and their spouses, and 12 grandchildren (Grandma now has 30+ great-grandchildren!) but the place was always filled with lots of love. I can still see the piles of presents everywhere, and Grandma's silver Christmas tree that slowly turned, with the spinning color wheel providing a light show. That will always be Grandma's tree. We still talk of the impromptu Christmas pageants the kids would put together and our fathers all falling asleep in a chair after dinner and the games in the hall. These are the kind of memories evoked when I think of Christmas. I know I have been blessed with such memories and I wouldn't trade them for the world. It is my wish that this selection of holiday music can, in some way, help to make new memories for everyone. Along with the traditional holiday carols on this release, I have included three of my own original compositions. As with all my recordings to date, these were improvisations, unaltered in any way from their original recorded form. I wish you joy in your heart, peace in your corner of the world, and good fortune in the coming years. With that, I am happy to present my holiday gift to you, Christmas Fireside. It is my wish that it helps to bring the holiday spirit to all who hear it."