Smooth Jazz Piano Classics – Don Friedman Plays the Great Standards (Remastered) Don Friedman

• 1 I Hear a Rhapsody (Remastered) 06:32
• 2 In You Own Sweet Way (Remastered) 04:58
• 3 So in Love (Remastered) 03:11
• 4 Circle Waltz (Remastered) 05:44
• 5 Modes Pivoting (Remastered) 06:33
• 6 Sea's Breeze (Remastered) 05:54
• 7 Rush Hour (Remastered) 06:35
• 8 Loves Parting (Remastered) 05:31
• 9 Sunset (Remastered) 05:32
• 10 Midday (Remastered) 05:31
• 11 Early Evening (Remastered) 04:02
• 12 Night (Remastered) 07:51
• Total Runtime 01:07:54

Info for Smooth Jazz Piano Classics – Don Friedman Plays the Great Standards (Remastered)

Music is an inevitable part of our lives. It is woven into nearly every aspect of human experience, from celebrations and entertainment to work and relaxation. Whether we are watching a film, attending a concert, or simply walking through a shopping mall, music shapes our moods, enhances experiences, and connects us to deeper emotions.

Music plays a crucial role in various industries. In film, it sets the emotional tone, intensifying moments of suspense, joy, or sadness. In retail and hospitality, background music influences customer behavior, encouraging longer stays and higher engagement. The entertainment industry also relies heavily on music to create immersive experiences, with dynamic soundtracks. Even in healthcare, music therapy is used to reduce anxiety, manage pain, and support mental well-being. From marketing strategies to personal relaxation, music remains a powerful tool across different fields.

Don Friedman’s jazz isn’t just music — it’s an experience that blends emotion, spontaneity, and deep musicality. His signature piano style, filled with rich harmonies and fluid improvisation, creates a space where listeners can truly immerse themselves in the present moment. Whether it’s the delicate phrasing of a ballad or the energetic flow of an up-tempo piece, his music has the power to elevate mood, reduce stress, and enhance focus.

Friedman’s compositions also serve as a bridge between structure and freedom, making them an ideal backdrop for relaxation and mindfulness. His melodies unfold naturally, encouraging listeners to embrace the moment without anticipation. In this way, his jazz becomes more than just entertainment — it’s a form of musical meditation, guiding the mind into a state of flow and introspection.

Many forms of meditation incorporate music as a grounding element. The right sounds can help clear the mind, regulate breathing, and deepen focus. Jazz, with its organic rhythm and flowing structure, provides an ideal soundscape for meditative practice. Unlike repetitive ambient music, jazz offers a balance of predictability and surprise, mirroring the natural fluctuations of thoughts and emotions. As a result, it becomes not just background noise, but an active participant in the meditative journey.

Don Friedman, piano

Digitally remastered

Don Friedman
comes into the world. Don’s parents were in love with classical music and there was a piano in their house. Being four years old kid, Don began learning the piano playing with his parents help. When he was 5, Katherine Swint, the private instructor was hired. Those days Don’s got his first lessons of improvisation, although he had no jazz impact.

At 15, Friedman with relatives changed the place of residence for San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles. About some time after that Don starts Hollywood Palladium leading to have a possibility of listening to the groups of famous musicians of those days. That formed his immense love for jazz music.

The inspiration for transforming his focus from usual tones to the jazz ones Don took from Lee Konitz and Conte Condoli. Friedman’s got a music education in a City College, moreover by himself performing tracks he listened from the tape. To the fifth decade of the 20-th century LA became West Coast Jazz capital and Don, as he was working near the city with his bands, was playing a huge role over there. During those days his closest teammates have always been Ornette Coleman, Shorty Rogers, Scott LaFaro, and Chet Baker.

In 1956 Friedman starts hit first tour. During that journey Don made a crucial decision to move to New York from CA in 1958. He conquered everyone with his performances those days. While playing with the best musicians of his trend, Friedman built a strong reputation of a professional piano player.

Around that days famous Scott LaFaro arrived to NY. Friedman and LaFarro had become neighbors, fellows and just the best friends. Don was involved to a lot of performances , together with particular trio and specialists, for example, Charles Lloyd, Pepper Adams and Chuck Wayne.

He firstly recorded a tune nearly the first half of the 60-s. His earliest LPs were with his trio. Attila Zoller guitar player, the closest friend, was featured on the fourth. People like those records so much: some of them got an award in Down Beat (its best evaluating), and the fourth one – four stars prize. By the middle of the 60-s Friedman had been called a great New Star in Down Beat’sl.

In the end of 1960s Don started a business, being a part of Clark Terry’s music group. He became the head of the University orchestra, and was teaching local students. From those days Don has kept on being there a pianist and a professor, visiting USA, Europe and sometimes Japan. Because of Don’s melodious manner of playing, professionaism and authority of solitary performances he still was a favorite guy for critics whilst got competitor’s esteem.

Friedman gave some usual concerts at his native-land with his fellows, and modern jazz with youthful Turks. Connoisseurs grab his plates in USA, Japan, where he has just enormous fan army, and allover the Europe. Not so long time ago his new trio came back from the Japan-tour.

This album contains no booklet.