[Esteban Ramirez is a 2006 ASCAPlus Award Recipient. His music has been downloaded over 20,000 times by piano music lovers just like you.] FROM THE ARTIST Thank you for visiting my CD Baby.com link for "Serenade to the Moon." I thought I'd share some personal thoughts about this album, but you'll also find most of the standard biography information down below. If you’d like, please feel free to listen to the music as you read these words. Of my three CDs (the other two are "Welcome Home" and "Fly with Me"), "Serenade to the Moon" is particularly special because it was my first venture into the world of recording music. I wrote the music in this CD over a period of 10 years -- all during my 20s. For those of you who are 20-something or older, you know how terribly challenging and exciting this age can be. Equally so, you also know just how much we learn and grow from those very same experiences, all in an effort to find out who we are and how we fit into, what can sometimes be, a very crazy world: one's first break up, innocence lost, new love, crying oneself to sleep, new experiences, forgiveness -- are just a few. But with so many piano solo albums to choose from, I guess I would want to know what makes this one unique? Maybe it's the lyrical feeling of the melodies, maybe it's the touch of melancholy that tenderly graces each phrasing, maybe it's the rich vibrations that resonate from the wood of the grand piano, or maybe it's the feeling one gets that each note was carefully sculpted as if no other existed. Mostly, however, I'd like to think that what makes this album unique is that it's my story -- a journey through life that led me to where I am now and to what I've become. Each song on this album has an incredible story of growth behind it. Some personal. Some whimsical. In some instances, some of the very music you'll find in this album pulled me through some very tough times. Maybe you share these experiences or maybe you'll see life somewhat differently for having listened. Regardless, if you love piano solo music that will touch your heart in a most deeply profound and moving way, I have a feeling you'll fall in love "Serenade to the Moon." Thank you again for listening and supporting your independent artists (people like me.) I really appreciate it. Best regards, Esteban BIOGRAPHY "There are many pianists out there who have razzle-dazzle styles using lots of notes and rapid arpeggios, but that's not where my heart is," explains Los Angeles-based musician Esteban Ramirez. "My spirit leads me to quiet music where not every little space is filled." Esteban was born and raised in the border-town of El Paso, Texas. He began taking piano lessons at age ten and a year later began composing little vocal and instrumental songs. No sooner did his mom notice his talent when she directed his creative energy to becoming the church pianist at their congregation at the age of 11. At 14, Esteban wrote out the score for one of his composition, "River Raindrops," but "my piano teacher was not impressed." However, a few months later, Esteban was chosen to perform this same piece at the locally televised Southwest Songwriters Showcase in a full 500-seat auditorium where he was the only musician to receive a standing ovation. "It wasn't until my 20s that I started embracing music as my passion in life," Esteban recounts. "I tried going the working 9-5 route, but there was always something deep inside of me that said 'You have to do your music.' Eventually, in a cosmic kind of way, there was no other choice but to do just that, and I did." Working a full-time job at a social service agency, he spent his evenings and weekends dedicated to his music. In 1995, he recorded four orchestrated pieces initially as a demo-tape for booking live performances, but soon began selling the cassettes at his performances. In 1998, with the help of a family loan, he released his first national album of gentle piano solo melodies, "Serenade to the Moon." The album received critical acclaim, being noted as strongly lyrical and compelling. Esteban presently resides in Los Angeles, California and performs throughout the country, promoting all three of his releases, which in addition to "Serenade to the Moon," also include the wonderful additions of "Welcome Home" (piano and cello) and "Fly with Me" (piano, cello, violin, oboe, and strings). Excellent packaging and production value.