The heartfelt new album of an 18-year-old folk-rocker. The young acoustic guitarist's catchy melodies and thoughtful, relatable lyrics form an album that is "a true gem."

10 MP3 Songs
FOLK: Modern Folk, FOLK: Folk Pop



Details:
ALEX'S WEBSITE: www.greenchaircircle.com
ALEX'S MYSPACE ACCOUNT: www.myspace.com/greenchaircircle

by Jennifer Modenessi, Conta Costa Times Staff Writer
Published Decemer 11, 2005

Alex Pfeifer-Rosenblum isn't your typical teen musician.
The 17-year-old El Cerrito High School senior possesses a richly sonorous voice that belies his youth. Think Mark Kozelek, the melancholy lead singer of Red House Painters, stirred witha dash of '70s singer-songwriters such as Paul Simon, James Taylor, Tom Jobim - folk with a little bossa nova and jazz spicing the mix.
Pfeifer-Rosenblum, who strummed his first guitar at age 3, recently finished recording "Green Chair Circle," an elegant set of folk-rock sparklers. The independently released CD is a labor of love for Pfeifer-Rosenblum, and involved a cast of musician friends and mentors, including his 19-year-old sister (and accomplished drummer), Rebecca, guitarist Lisa Zeiler of Rebecca Riots, and pianists Julie Wolf and Frank Martin, who have played with the Indigo Girls, Shawn Colvin, Ani Difranco, Dar Williams, James Taylor, Ray Charles, and Stevie Wonder, among others.
But Pfeifer-Rosenblum's musical output isn't limited to only one genre. He's first trombonist for the San Francisco Jazz Organization (SFJAZZ)'s All-Star High School ensemble, and professes a love for classical composition.
Although "Green Chair Circle" is yet to be released for wide distribution, there seems little doubt that labels will come calling. With his tasteful and sophisticated arrangements and intelligent and heartfelt lyrics, Pfeifer-Rosenblum's future looks bright.

Q: When did you first begin playing music?
A: I fell in love with music when I was 2 or 3 years old. My family took me to a summer camp at Tuolamne, and they had a gathering spot we called the "Green Chair Circle" - a little circle of green Adirondack chairs. They had some music leaders playing guitar in the middle. I was totally blown away by it, and I would follow the song leaders around in my diapers. Then my mom asked one of the song leaders if she'd be willing to give me guitar lessons. I learned to play guitar and write songs...I guess from there it's sort of history.
When I was in the fourth grade, I started playing trombone. In 10th grade, I started studying composition, and I wrote some songs for my school bands and went on to conduct them.

Q: When did you record "Green Chair Circle"
A: I started recording the CD in July 2004. It has taken awhile to record, as I am also a busy high school student. But we started recording drums and bass, then the guitar, piano, percussion, vocals...over and over.

Q: Was this a group effort?
A: Yes. I played guitar, bass, trombone, and I sang. My sister, Rebecca, played the drums. One of my guitar teachers, Lisa Zeiler, played guitar. I had some great backup singer; Andrea Pritchett and Eve Decker (from the band "Rebecca Riots" with Lisa Zeiler, Katie Rose Breslin and Sam Breslin from my old band, and Ben Decker. We had a great percussionist, Deb Lane, play on a few songs. And I got to work with some incredible piano players - Julie Wolf and Frank Martin, who have played with the Indigo Girls, Shawn Colvin, Ani Difranco, Dar Williams, James Taylor, Ray Charles, and Stevie Wonder, among others.

Q: Can you describe your sound for me?
A: I do mostly folk-rock music, and some jazz. I love the Indigo Girls, Patty Griffin, Paul Simon, James Taylor, Bright Eyes, Dar Williams...sort of contemporary folk music with a mixture of folk-rock and jazz.

Q: Can you tell me about some of your lyrics or the themes of your songs and what inspired them?
It's mostly very personal songs. There are some love songs, songs about struggles in my own life, a political, antiwar song.

Q: What do you enjoy about playing live?
A: I love playing live. It's one of the most amazing things...just something about connecting with the audience by expressing myself through music. When I play live, I feel so much energy in the room...there's nothing like it.