JIM BRICKMAN 'Peace' illuminates his popular, 'comfortable' instrumental style

Recent television appearances have increased his visibility.
By WAYNE BLEDSOE
SCRIPPS HOWARD
Not many artists release two Christmas albums within the space of a decade. Yet, pianist Jim Brickman has released "Peace" just six years after his popular disc "The Gift." Brickman has become a Christmas favorite on the concert circuit with his seasonal show.
"I just love playing Christmas music," says Brickman. "It's fun for me to put my own twist on classic songs -- to add my style to something familiar and comfortable."
"Comfortable" may be the best adjective to describe Brickman's entire oeuvre. Since his 1994 debut album, "No Words," Brickman has been pop's favorite instrumental pianist -- although his music has not always been instrumental. Brickman has used the talents of Martina McBride ("Valentine"), Collin Raye and Susan Ashton ("The Gift"), Rebecca Lynn Howard ("Simple Things") and other artists to add vocals on some of his best-known songs.
In the spotlight
Instrumentalists are traditionally low-profile entertainers. While Brickman's fans certainly know who is behind his vocal projects, he's sometimes overlooked as "the guy who played piano" behind McBride or even Donny Osmond, who toured as part of Brickman's show.
He says that recent television appearances, including his run as musical director/instrumentalist on the "Today's Superstar" contest on NBC's "Today" show, raise his visibility.
"It was fun," Brickman says. "It's what I do, but it's not what I do. There was the pressure to play all different kinds of styles at the drop of a hat, and the people were so amazing and sweet and kind. ... I've been doing a lot of television, but it's just sort of under the radar."
A native of Shaker Heights, Ohio, Brickman began playing piano at age 4 and studied music at the Cleveland Institute of Music. In his early 20s, he became a successful jingle writer (with clients that included Coca-Cola and Disney) before releasing his first album on Windham Hill Records at the age of 32.
New projects
Brickman says that the new Christmas album is different than from most being offered in the pop market in that it features more hymns than pop material.
The disc also features the Blind Boys of Alabama (who have their own Christmas disc this year) as vocal guests on "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!"
"I respect those guys so much, and I really wanted to do something that felt like you might hear it if you turned on the radio in the 1950s," Brickman says.
The disc also includes Brickman reuniting with Collin Raye on "Peace (Where the Heart Is)," a new Brickman original.
Brickman's current tour will include Cochran, violinist Tracy Silverman, Kristy Starling and former 98 Degrees vocalist Jeff Timmons.
Brickman says it is important to offer audiences something new on each show. And Brickman's next album may be something different as well.
"I've always wanted to do a hymns record, and I've always wanted to do a Disney record," Brickman says. "I think it's kind of the time to do some of those projects -- especially when I see this new Bette Midler record." (Midler's new disc is a tribute Rosemary Clooney.)
"It's just not the right time in my life for another pop record," he says.