This site introduces you to Adam's latest album "Meandering - Soothing Soundscapes", available on CD or via digital downloads. The complete set of six songs is soothing, suitable for meditation, relaxation, massage and reiki, sleeping, yoga, stress relief, holistic healing, travel, artistic inspiration, and focus. Here, you can download shortened versions of some of the songs offered here as a preview, and to enjoy. Please visit zampiano.com for more information.
You really want to know more about me? Well, I guess I can begin by saying that I was lucky enough to come from a stable broken home. My four parents brought me up to be well-rounded, exploring all aspects of art, music, culture, math, science, sports, nature, computers, etc. It is all of these influences that make me who I am.
I grew up between north-central Massachusetts (Westminster, Gardner, Winchendon) and Boston (Newton, Somerville). I did move around a bit, changing schools frequently. That made it difficult to keep long term friends, but it did not affect my academics.
I attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute and earned a B.S. degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering (1996). While in college, I spent most of my time playing the piano or guitar. I was even in a rock/country band (Anything Goes) performing at local bars throughout the Worcester area.
After college, I entered the work force as a civil engineer. I worked in Worcester, and then took a job in Boston. I have been there since 1997, designing railroad and transportation facilities. It is then that I moved to my current home in Marblehead, MA.
While in Marblehead, I co-started a band called Bad Accent with a Czech-born musician (Evzen Holas). I worked with him for three years, writing and performing songs. There, I played mostly the electric guitar. It is through that band that I met my future wife, Michelle. It is also through that band that I learned to record CDs (because I determined it was less expensive to make our own CD than to make one in a recording studio). I purchased the equipment and learned how to use it. In 13 months, we made our first (and only together) CD.
Shortly afterwards, I recorded several other CD projects, including my own (Etched In Stone).
At the same time, Michelle and I performed occasionally with my step-mother (Angela Masciale), a gifted singer/songwriter. While performing one of her shows, I met Mamadou Diop, band-leader for a successful world-beat band. He was looking for a keyboardist. I decided to give it a try.
After joining Mamadou's band in July of 2000, playing a style of music I truly did NOT understand, I found myself performing on stage all-the-time. After several months, I began to understand the music and was finally able to perform with some competence (some).
Now, five years later, I am still performing with MAMADOU. Last year (2005), we performed over 70 live performances together. I have committed myself to working with the band because I have helped to grow it into what it is, and I would like to see it reach the stars.
I have to say that working with these musicians is a very special experience. The musicianship and professionalism of these musicians is what I always wanted in a band; people who love what they do, play with very high levels of skill, and are still down-to-earth nice. Plus, I get to perform in a band with my wife (she is a vocalist and percussionist).
I do perform often, usually in a West African ensemble called "MAMADOU". Occasionally, I offer solo piano performances, which is where I started.
I love performing. I think what I like most is that I get to travel and see new people and places. The audience response is special to me, and there is nothing better than bringing joy to the masses.
Sometimes, I will improvise an entire show. That can lead to some special moments ;)
My musical influences range quite a bit. To name a few of the artists I have studied and listened to, they are the Beatles, George Winston, Elton John, Billy Joel, Chick Corea, Keith Jarrett, Art Tatum, Fats Waller, Al Di Meola, Pat Metheny, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Bad Company, Phil Collins, David Bowie, Rolling Stones, James Taylor, Michael Hedges, Mamadou Diop, Orchestra Baobab, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Bach, Amadeus Mozart, Frederic Chopin, Tchaikovski, and many others.
Generally, I use a Kurzweil PC2x, Roland AX-1 and JV-1080, Roland KC-300 amp, and a Limex wireless MIDI unit (sometimes). I would love to upgrade the 1080 to a Motif, and the KC-300 to a Bose cylindrical radiator system; but, you know, budget...
Yeah. I just produced something completely new for me - a meditation CD. I am showcasing it here with some free downloadable sample songs. The album is available from CD Baby and Amazon.com.