RichHeart Music & Richard Shulman:
About Light Music: To Clear and Align the Chakras:
Dear Richard,
I met you in St. Louis and bought 10 of your fantastic CD's! I cannot tell you how much they have meant to me in my personal time and my in my healing work.
The Light Music cd has been an inspiration to a new session I am offering. I do reflexology on the hands and feet to it....moving around the body, I work on the areas of the hands and feet where each chakra is located. Sometimes I need to replay a segment, but generally the session lasts about 35-40 minutes and then I can do any other healing touch necessary for my session. I find it focuses me , and I feel I do a better, more thorough session of reflexology.
After one session. I lay down on my table to rest to your music. I started it over and "woke up" as the 8th cut began. It worked for me too.
I also really love the 11:11 CD. My clients and I never get tired of it.
Thank you so much for your incredible healing music.
Kathleen Jordan
Pianist Richard Shulman is best known for his New Age and classical-influenced piano works, so I was as surprised as anyone when his new jazz trio project release, Sky Jazz, landed in my hands. Unlike some others from the New Age music genre who have tried their hands at jazz, it’s obvious that Shulman has the chops to back up his aspirations—with room to spare. Working with bassist Mike Holstein and drummer Sonny Thornton, Shulman offers no allusion to fusion or pop leanings, instead making it perfectly clear from the opening “Pictures in the Clouds” that this is a jazz recording in the classic sense. Standouts include the bluesy “Getting Over Lost Love,” the gently swaying “Goodbye to Fantasy,” and the nearly 10-minute tour de force “Still Young at 95.” These cats can play, no doubt about it!
• • •
Really, really impressive, Richard. Awesome playing, all the way. All 3 of you really have a tremendous sense of dynamic and space that's a real treat for the listener. I also really was impressed by Sonny's solo on the video. Please definitely do more what I'd call Chamber Jazz 'cause I enjoy the Classical sensibilities you have, while still keeping that good pace and pulse. I'd love to see your jazz releases come out on some of the European labels which I find do a much better job at promoting jazz and Chamber style jazz than over here.
I also was really impressed at your composing on Camelot which I had the pleasure to see how well crafted your compositions are. Great work on all. Thank you once again for turning me on to this.
Cheers and success for your jazz album.
Kima Moore - Composer
Recommended: The Music of Richard Shulman
If you are ready for some music that will ooze into your soul, relax you, uplift your spirits, and remind you why you are here, Richard Shulman's gifted music will do all that and more. His original compositions are stirring, touching, and soothing. I love his majestic touch that melds humility and authentic power. I have been listening to these unique renderings for a long time, and once you hear them, you will feel better, no matter how good you felt when you started!
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I have been loving Richard Shulman's music for years. When I first heard 11:11 Piano Meditations for Awakening, I knew immediately from the first notes that I was about to have a very profound spiritual experience. Richard's 11:11 awakens conscious presence and brings my spiritual awareness back to the center point of my true being in ways that even the most cherished music in my collection cannot. I play this album while reading, writing, preparing food, driving, and while otherwise sitting in silence. Thank you Richard, you have somehow managed to surpass even the best of your best. And you have struck an eternal chord in my heart. ---Dale Hoffman - Facilitator of Aramaic Healing Circles
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Richard: I was so excited that you won an award for your 11:11 cd. It has touched my heart since receiving it at INATS last year. It was well deserved.
A fan,
Sharon Cihiwsky
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I LOVE THIS CD!
It is deceptively simple, .... Like resting in angel wings, a
warmth without temperature, elegance without expectability, delight
without ditziness, softness without boredom, levitation without
dissociation, power without bombast.
Cat Anderson -- Director, United Research Light Center,
Black Mountain, NC
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Music Review . . .
by Isis
===============
Richard Shulman has a brand new CD out . . . released, Jauary
15th, 2008.
Another masterpiece! He never ceases to amaze me with his musical
mastery. His music comes straight from the heart and awakens our
souls. It touchs us in the very heart of our being.
This particular CD has 13 tracks of meditative, exquisite
music. I highly recommend this to anyone who wishes to relax,
feel peaceful and get in touch with your innerself.
I now have 21 of Richard Shullman's CD's and will continue to
add to the collection as new ones are released. I hope you enjoy
his music as much as I do.
************************************************
Richard,
I just listened to Meditation 1 and 2. (Isn't this new technology
amazing??) So I thought, "Oh yes, love it. A dance
expression to this, sometime, somewhere would be wonderful."
Then I listened to Meditation 2. I loved it even more,
and my thoughts followed along a meandering flow as follows:
"Its the emotionality behind the simplicity. Great instrument
too...different from eastern meditation music and chanting because
of this subtle, exquisite emotionality. Oh, how it curves gently
around, right into the heart. The bodhicitta. I could do
a movement/meditation to this. Darkly lit...so moving and
beautiful. Thank you. Celeste Graves-Hoyal, Dancer/Choreographer.
************************************************
"What a peaceful, transformative album, Richard. Thank you SO much for following your Guidance to create it. I feel like my aura is being combed and balanced with these sounds."
Kim Hughes - singer, healing sound practitioner and co-owner of www.whitehorseblackmountain.com
About the new Theatrical Musical "A Dream of Camelot"
Comments on A Dream of Camelot performance at the Masonic Temple 3/12/11 from Debra Roberts:
The show was amazing, astonishing, uplifting, made me laugh, made me cry and reminded me of all the great good stuff that any practice I have ever done, points to. The show has come such a very long way from conception to the read-through at the Light Center to this lovely evolution. Tony, Jen, Breazi and Dielle were even more incredible than last time (and that is saying a lot). And the new cast were also so well chosen. The dominator scene was so potent (song and interaction between actors), Who You Are Is Beautiful again just melted me where I sat -- my absolute favorite song in a show of many favorites. And on and on .... And staging it there at the Masonic Hall was a great choice. What a jewel of a little theater. And also seeing you in black tie was a treat - that was a really great choice, Richard. Am so very happy to have had this experience of your life changing work, Richard, one more time. You all have to have been so happy with what you did together. You are a great ensemble and I hope that the seeds that got sown this weekend, flower into other shows elsewhere because this production is a great blessing in the life of this world.
Thanks so much for always following the Muse and the Call, Richard.
love and blessings
Debra (and Joe who also really thoroughly enjoyed it)
From Janet Gold who saw the Masonic Temple performance on 3/12/11: I loved the production. It was so beautifully put together. The music, all the songs, those I'd heard before and all the new ones were amazing, as was your marathon playing. The audience participation in the meditation session was brilliant. Extremely helpful to me (as you know) was the explanation of the Camelot background. The director made magic. The choreography skillfully kept things moving along .... I was riveted. The actors and singers were warmly engaging and their performances appeared genuine and heartfelt. They seemed emotionally connected to each other. Love was all around.
From Dianne Lancaster, having seen a March 2011 performance: The show was Amazing! I laughed...I cried.....You captured the essence of human emotions and spirit. I see kids dressed up as woodland creatures dancing to "I like it here in the Woods".Will see you on Broadway! Let's dance, Dianne
October 14 2009 at 3:23pm
Richard, I just wanted to tell you your musical at the Light Center is still with me, weeks later. I was so thrilled to have been witnesss to something so profound and would love to support any new projects or at least know of upcoming performances. You are brilliant, and I am so grateful for your contribution. Thank you. Jennifer Kelting
Hi Richard,
Seasons greetings to you. I hope this coming year brings
you much deserved success in finishing and launching the wonderful
musical you're producing. I loved the story line and the
three numbers from the show: I don't see why this shouldn't
be on Broadway--not Broadway Asheville--well you can preview it
here--but I see it making New York theatre. The best of
luck to you. - Rena Wright, Author.
Some thoughts by email from Rick Dowdeswell (drummer and jazz afficianado) after hearing the Richard Shulman Trio at St. Matthias Church, 10/21/07:
BRAVO, Richard!
I'm pretty much a purest at heart when it comes to Jazz expression,
and for me, the piano trio is the basic unit. But what continually
intrigues me with your contribution, is the inter-blending of
the music of inner peace with the standard jazz repertoire. Your
compositions and melodic innovative ideas are an absolute treat.
And the sidemen you choose to complement this gift are joyously,
I feel, two of the finest, if not the best artisans of their craft
in this area. ... and then, from a later email:
That instrumental arrangement and the musicians involved are
as pure, crystal clear an example of melodically-driven, creatively-innovative
jazz expression as you'll find anywhere in the greater area. Everyone
is an original painter in their own right. And when you put them
together working on the same space the frescoes that spill forth
are really quite astounding!
Sincerely,
Rick
Personnel were: Richard Shulman - piano, Mike Holstein - bass, Sonny Thornton - drums.
A thank you letter from the American Holistic Nurses' Association:
American Holistic Nurses' Association - July 5 1998
Dear Richard,
Thank you so much for making the journey to Florida for our Holistic Nursing Annual Conference. How can we ever thank you enough for committing so early to us and for taking the time to drive to Florida. You brought a peaceful and heartfelt spiritual contribution to our gathering. Your music is of the heavenly spheres and we are blessed to have been in your presence to hear you "live." Your concert was outstanding and the body of work sent to you from above for our organization was a once in a lifetime musical shower of love. We are honored to have experienced the beauty and grace of that hour.
You have personally touched many holistic nurses' spirits and many have told us that they will incorporate your musical miracles into their daily lives. We enjoyed so being with you after these many months of planning and can only say that you added more to our conference than can ever be measured or expressed in words. (In particular, the blending of your music with Rev. Tanya Beck's meditation was just so beautiful and inspiring).
It was also fun to get to know you and share moments with you on a personal basis. We wish you well on your move to North Carolina. Bless you, Richard, as you continue on your own journey and musical pathway. You are a special soul with a God-given gift.
Wishing you Peace, Love, and Health,
Pat
Patricia Salmon, PhD., ARNP
Program Chair
Bobbi
Barbara Harris, BA, RN, HNC
Conference Chair
Here's an email from Barbara Robinson, director of the Three Circles Conference Center in the Asheville, NC area:
Richard,
Three Circles Conference Center has done an interesting thing.
We have the capability of carrying 64 discs in the changer. We
have eliminated gradually all but 3. The three you gave us when
you were here with Barry and Janae. All of us here just like them
better. We feel better. We work better.
We are getting together a bookstore here on site and would like
to carry your work for sale to all the people who come here. By
the way, all the people who come here also comment on your music
and wonder what it is and where they can get it. They also feel
better and work better.
I see you have some upcoming events in the area locally. I will
attend and perhaps we can have a minute. I also put in a requisition
to buy all your available music. So when that clears you will
see me on your doorstep either way.
Thank You,
Barbara Robinson
http://www.threecirclescenter.com/
"Richard Shulman's music embodies a rare devotion, a sacred offering. I love to bathe in it; this master takes me on a journey home. I highly recommend these albums for daily soul nourishment; this is spiritual sound at its sweetest." Alan Cohen, author of I Had It All the Time
(Speaking to Richard during a performance) "You are the best improviser in the world!" Christine Stevens, percussionist, drum circle facilitator, and Music Therapy and Wellness Consultatant for Remo Drum Company.
Richard Shulman is a visionary musician whose compositions
bathe you in
a rich tapestry of spiritual nourishment invoking healing, wholeness,
and inspiration.
Larry Heisler, Director
NJ Massage & North Jersey Massage & Training Center
Richard's music is some of the best I've heard for relaxing,
meditating,
expanding your consciousness, and connecting with source and spirit.
I
listen to it frequently and just love the spaces it takes me to.
Sanaya Roman
author, Living with Joy
Richard Shulman,s compositions come from the heart, producing
a
peaceful, relaxed state of being.... Richard's music is a gift
to our
spirit. We are pleased to have his music in our store and it is
a
consistent seller... people come back into the shop and thank
me for
introducing them to Richard's music.
Sherry Chambers
CRYSTAL VISIONS, Naples, NC
Richard Shulman's music is divinely inspiring. It is heart
and soul
music that reaches to one's deepest core and lifts the spirit
to its
greatest height.
Lucia Capacchione, Ph.D.
Art Therapist, author
"Camelot Reawakened: A Vision Fulfilled" presents
the beautiful melodic lines and orchestral harmonies of Richard
Shulman's music alongside poetic, revealing commentary by the
composer himself. Shulman carefully illuminates his symphony movement
by movement, providing the context for, and history of, his wonderful,
inspiring "dream of the heart."
Ray Hemachandra, editor in chief
New Age Retailer magazine
Many people have inspirations, insights and visions but do not act on them. Richard Shulman encourages viewers to "Remember your dream" and "Keep it alive." Shulman did just that when he received a vision and felt guided to create a specific piece of music. In Camelot Reawakened, Shulman describes his personal journey, from the moment he experienced his vision in 1996 until his dream became fulfilled, to inspire other people to keep their dreams alive and to fulfill them.
At times, while working on "Camelot Reawakened," Shulman had moments of doubt and decided the task was impossible. "No – it's not going to happen!" he thought. Then he connected with his own center deep within and realigned with spirit.
Divine inspiration finds expression through human endeavor, Shulman says. He overcame his anxiety and continued working on the project. He recruited musicians, and rehearsals followed. The final result, an exuberant concert held in 2002 that in included in the video, is an outburst of joy and festivity. The symphony "Camelot Reawakened," performed by Shulman and the Asheville Symphony Orchestra, is available from RichHeart Music on a CD of the same name.
Point out the Camelot Reawakened video as a source of inspiration for artists, writers, and people seeking direction in life. Molly Trimble, New Age Retailer magazine.
Some Reviews
Reaching A Higher Dimension . . . we are all looking forward to right? I highly reccomend Richard Shulman's new CD "A Higher Dimension." There was a feeling of wonder, beauty and a peaceful well-being as I listened to his once again masterful performance of the soft relaxing music being played. From the first "Gates to the Quiet Place" to last "Home." Music to take you to that Higher Dimension in meditation.
- Isis
"If I were going to sit in the middle of a pine forest and wished to hear some perfect music for the surrounds, I would...choose A HIGHER DIMENSION." – Don Slepian, Starlight Times.
Reprinted from New Age Voice - April, 2000
“Spirit of the New Age” By Carl McColman
RICHHEART MUSIC’S RICHARD SHULMAN
Richard Shulman is a consummate New Age musician. A gentle man with a down-to-earth manner, Shulman balances his gift as a musician with a clear commitment to spiritual evolution–both his own and that of his listeners. As a musician he does far more than merely entertain. His compositions and performances also soothe, enlighten, and transform. This can be seen throughout his catalog. RichHeart music, his artist-owned label, has released such albums as Ascension Harmonics, Light From Assisi, and Keeper of the Holy Grail. The two most recent CD releases from RichHeart–one new recording and one a rerelease of a title previously available only on cassette–continue in Shulman’s tradition of music with a spiritual center.
The new title, Music to Walk the Labyrinth: Synthesizer Music for the Inner Journey, features a live recording of Shulman last year during a community labyrinth walk. In communities across the country, large reproductions of labyrinths (such as the one in Chartres Cathedral) are available for churches and other spiritual groups to use as a focus for meditation and prayer. Walking along the circuitous paths of the labyrinth is a metaphor for the twists and turns of life itself. Performing at one such event, Shulman improvised an extended musical passage which serves as a meditative work in its own right. Peaceful and slow-moving, the music evokes a sense of calm and spaciousness, perfect as a backdrop to meditation, although enjoyable to listen to by itself. However, this is no sonic wallpaper- different keyboard arrangements keep the music interesting, and 30 minutes into the improvisation, the music suddenly blossoms into a lovely synthesizer drone around which a playful melody dances. It’s as if the dedicated meditator suddenly has been rewarded with a glimpse of ecstasy.
Newly available on CD from RichHeart is Light Music - To Clear and Align the Chakras, originally released on cassette in 1996. Recorded at the United Research Light Center in North Carolina, this suite of two meditative programs features music beginning in the key of C (representing the root chakra) and progressing up the scale to the key of B (the crown chakra). The human body has seven major chakras (energy centers) along the spine, each one corresponding to a specific color, a particular part of the human body, a set of emotional and spiritual issues, and a musical key. In progressing up the scale, Shulman’s music clears and aligns each chakra in turn. Liner notes include instructions on how to use the music during meditation to help facilitate the process of chakra alignment.
Sound hokey? Although these concepts are unfamiliar to many westerners, they are core principles of eastern metaphysics, and increasing numbers of Americans recognize the value of working with the chakra system, for both spiritual and physical well-being. Best-selling authors like Deepak Chopra and Carolyn Myss have shown that healing therapies based on the chakra system are moving into the mainstream. Musicians like Richard Shulman have taken the wisdom of the East and given it a lovely soundtrack of contemporary New Age music.
Like many independent musicians who own their own labels, Shulman works tirelessly to bring his excellent product to a market sagging under the weight of cookie-cutter major-label product backed by expensive marketing budgets. It’s David and Goliath all over again. I believe in this David, because his music has a genuine heartfelt spiritual resonance that metaphysical-minded consumers consistently respond to. One soul at a time, people are falling in love with RichHeart Music.
"...The music seems to alter the very atoms and take us into a place of inner mystery and beauty. Intensely personal, it explores the humble and the Divine with equal sincerity. Shulman holds nothing back. His honesty creates a doorway through which spirit enters. This is music for blissing, for contemplating the meaning of God and one’s relationship to the Highest."
--Shelley Koffler, New Age Retailer
"Light from Assisi is an album of intense spiritual and meditative synthesizer music born of a direct communion with the Supreme Self–the God that dwells within. Many of Shulman's compositions have ecclesiastical overtones and the emotional impact of a Bach mass, created by deep bass lines and soaring harmonies. However, other parts of this masterwork maintain a lighter, more angelic quality. ... Some of the best liner notes I have ever read.... Shulman gives the fascinating details of his experiences in Assisi along with several guided meditations which help the listener to become one with the light of the inner truth as well as the Light from Assisi." –Ken Gruen, New Frontier Magazine