Houston’s Nu-Classical Composer-Pianist Kris Becker Wins Major Awards, Releases New Album

Feb. 7, 2013 - PRLog -- Fresh on the heels of being named 2013 Texas Music Teachers Association Commissioned Composer and winner of the 2012 National Federation of Music Clubs Beyer Composition Award, Houston-based composer-pianist Kris Becker (http://krisbeckermusic.com) has just released his new album of award-winning original works Expansions and will perform the album live in a free concert at Houston Piano Company on Saturday, February 23 at 7:30PM. Featuring his signature barrier-smashing “nu-classical” sound, fusing classical structure and ideas with contemporary popular impulses.

Composing and performing music that bears an appealing vibe, Kris Becker has taken his boundary-breaking artistry to Carnegie Hall and around the globe, from the concert hall to the club.  Says Garrett Schumann of Sequenza21.com, “Music like that [of Becker's] is worthwhile to the listeners on the fringe of [classical] music because it challenges definitions and breaks down barriers between the music they are familiar with and that which they have never heard (most [classical] music)”. Drawing in listeners outside the classical realm while still serving both a classical and multi-genre audience, Becker’s often jazz- and rock-influenced creations have drawn comparisons to the fusion artists of the past and present, further seen in his work with Glenn Leonard of The Temptations and Mike Garson, pianist for David Bowie.

Chosen as the sole recipient among composers all across Texas for this year’s Texas Music Teachers Association (TMTA) commission, Kris is preparing to premiere his new work for the TMTA convention in Dallas this June.  His National Federation of Music Clubs award-winning Piano Sonata No.1, completed last year, appears on the new Expansions album.  Previews of this and more can be heard at http://reverbnation.com/krisbeckermusic

KRIS BECKER LIVE at HOUSTON PIANO COMPANY
Saturday, February 23 @ 7:30PM
1600 W. 13th St., Houston, TX  77008
RSVP to Rick Valentine rick@rickvalentinemusic.com or (713) 868-7447
http://houstonpianocompany.com
FREE ADMISSION  All ages welcome

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To schedule interviews/appearances for print, TV, and radio and for more information on the Expansions release contact Kris Becker: management@krisbeckermusic.com

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