The Gift of Music

I have infinite respect for all musicians who collaborated on the Laura and Autumn Waltz projects. We had fun, and the musical result reflected a sum larger than the parts. Synergistic models always win.

For more information on some of the local musicians and individuals involved in these projects, follow the links below.

Steve Christofferson
Tom Grant
Bill Beach
Nancy King

Check out my YouTube Channel

Performance Schedule
My performance schedule varies. If you would like to hear me play, please send an email.

Proceeds from the sale of the Laura and Autumn Waltz CDs benefit comprehensive drug and alcohol sobriety programs through the Union Gospel Mission.

Examples of My Tune Styles:

 

  1. Chalice
  2. Degas
  3. Janet Rae
  4. Sweet Blues
  5. Waltz Treat
    Featured on 105.9 The Wave Smooth Sunrise NW Spotlight radio program.
  6. I Go
    Dedicated to my sweetheart, Janet H. Mersereau.
  7. August Air
  8. Spirit Speak
  9. Release
  10. The Heart of a Rose
    Dedicated to the Memory of Dr. Richard W. Olmsted
  11. East Meets West
  12. Cool Changes
  13. When We Waltz
  14. Heart’s Home
  15. Foolish Dreams
  16. Bein’
  17. My Wishing Well – Vocal
    My Wishing Well – Saxophone Instrumental
  18. Over the Moon
  19. Vision
    Dedicated to the Memory of Elwood B. Hedberg
  20. Spiritus
    Dedicated to the Memory of Roland W. Mersereau
  21. All Thanks to Thee
  22. Sunlight on Snow
    Dedicated to the Memory of Laura Mersereau Pressnall
  23. Restless
  24. Le Petit Enfant
    See credits on Autumn Waltz CD
  25. June
    Dedicated to the Memory of June Mersereau Lee
  26. Permission
  27. Conversation
  28. D’Groove
  29. Shifting Seas
  30. Angst
  31. Autumn Mist
  32. Dangerous Charms
  33. Five Stars
  34. Fog Street
  35. Noir
  36. Waltz with Your Heart
  37. Dawn
    Composed for Janet H. Mersereau
  38. Walking with the Moon
  39. Angel
  40. Bittersweet
  41. Toodle oo
  42. Transition
  43. Music Box
  44. Bells
  45. Salty Breeze
  46. Camera
  47. Lost In Song
  48. Select Jam
  49. Beauty
  50. French Doors
  51. Beyond the Stars
  52. Twilight Love
    Composed for Janet H. Mersereau
  53. Amen
  54. Paris
  55. Charmer
  56. Uh Oh
    Dedicated to the Memory of William B. Mersereau Sr.
  57. Alejandro
  58. Sea Blue Eyes – Vocal
    Sea Blue Eyes – Melodica Instrumental
  59. Open Door
  60. Mary Lou

Musicians & Credits

Tracks 1. Chalice, 2. Degas, 3. Janet Rae, 4. Sweet Blues, 5. Waltz Treat:

Brad Mersereau – Piano, Composer
Phil Baker – Bass
Ron Steen – Drums
Steve Christofferson – Producer

Track 6. I Go:

Valerie Day – Vocalist
Steve Christofferson – Piano

7. August Air, 8. Spirit Speak, 9. Release, 10. The Heart of a Rose, 27. Conversation, 39. Angel, 40. Bittersweet, 48. Select Jam, 49. Beauty, 55. Charmer, 56. Uh Oh, 59. Open Door:

Phil Baker – Producer/Arranger/Instrumentalist

Tracks 11. East Meets West, 12. Cool Changes, 13. When We Waltz, 14. Heart’s Home, 15. Foolish Dreams, 16. Bein’, 17. Wishing Well, 23. Restless, 25. June, 26. Permission, 38. Walking with the Moon, 60. Mary Lou:

Tom Grant – Producer/Arranger/Instrumentalist

Track 17. My Wishing Well:

David Evans – Saxophone

Track 18. Over the Moon:

Tom Grant – Producer/Arranger/Instrumentalist/Cowriter

Track 19. Vision:

Steve Christofferson – Producer
David E. Nelsen – Choral Conductor
Elwood Hedberg – Lyrics

Track 20. Spiritus:

Steve Christofferson – Producer
David E. Nelsen – Choral Conductor

Track 21. All Thanks to Thee:

Steve Christofferson – Producer
Carolyn Coefield – Vocalist
Matthew Smith – Vocalist

Track 22. Sunlight on Snow:

Tom Grant – Producer/Arranger/Instrumentalist
Marilyn Keller – Soprano Vocalist

Tracks 28. D’Groove, 29. Shifting Seas:

Steve Christofferson – Producer/Pianist
Phil Baker – Bass
Ron Steen – Drums

Tracks 30. Angst, 31. Autumn Mist, 32. Dangerous Charms, 33. Five Stars, 34. Fog Street, 35. Noir, 36. Waltz with Your Heart:

Steve Christofferson – Producer/Keyboard Bass
Brad Mersereau – Piano
Ron Steen – Drums

Track 37. Dawn:

Steve Christofferson – Producer/Pianist
Marilyn Keller – Vocal
Phil Baker – Bass
Ron Steen – Drums

Tracks 41. Toodle oo, 42. Transition, 43. Music Box, 44. Bells, 45. Salty Breeze, 46. Camera, 47. Lost In Song, 50. French Doors, 51. Beyond the Stars, 52. Twilight Love, 53. Amen, 54. Paris, 57. Alejandro, 58. Sea Blue Eyes, Lyrics by Elma Jakku:

Tom Grant – Producer/Arranger/Instrumentalist

Track 58. Sea Blue Eyes:

Tom Grant – Melodica

Laura’s Story

The Laura CD project is dedicated to the memory of my sister, Laura Mersereau Pressnall, a vibrant, gregarious, and love-filled human being, who died at age 46 due to physical complications from a quarter-century battle with her enemy, the disease of alcoholism. She was able to maintain sobriety and confront her previous denial demons in the final six months of her life, but sadly, this just wasn’t enough.

The music in this collaborative effort is also focused on a most sobering truth. Each phase of our existence offers hope and possibility if we let it. This is the truth that all musicians cooperatively involved with these compositions communicate. From Sunrise, Arrival, and Sojourn, through Vision, Spiritus, and Au Revoir, each segment of the life cycle has its own significance and meaning.

Laura is now in the next phase of her journey, but her memory can serve as a reminder musically and literally that hope continues to exist… “a face in the misty light—footsteps that you hear down the hall.” Here’s to you, Laura. We lift you up and that is the truth.

 

All Laura CD sale proceeds will benefit the Union Gospel Mission’s LifeChange Center.

  1. Picardy – 1:25
  2. Sojourn (View Video) – 2:43
  3. Laura – 5:17
  4. Arrival – 3:49
  5. Autumn Leaves/You Must Believe in Spring – 6:52
  6. Green Rain – 3:52
  7. Perennial – 5:31
  8. Vision – 3:08
  9. Au Revoir – 4:30
  10. D.E.G. Blues (View Video) – 3:24
  11. The Shadow of Your Smile (View Video) – 3:32
  12. Picardy (Reprise) – 2:38
  13. Spiritus – 3:15
  14. Sunrise – 2:28

To listen to sample tracks, click on one of the links in the play list. To view accompanying YouTube videos, click on the “view video” links.

Musicians & Credits

1. Picardy
16th Century French Hymn
Arrangement – Brad Mersereau
Piano & Mellotron – Brad Mersereau
Bass – Jeff Leonard
Vocals – Brad Mersereau & Steve Christofferson

2. Sojourn
Music – Brad Mersereau
Arrangement – Steve Christofferson
Guitar – Dan Balmer
Alto Flute – Cheryl Alex
Trombone – Jeff Uusitalo
Vibraphone – Chris Lee
Bass – Jeff Leonard
Drums – Ron Steen

3. Laura
Music – David Raksin
Words – Johnny Mercer
Orchestration & Arrangement – Michael Elliott
Vocal – Brad Mersereau
Tenor Saxophone – John Gross
Alto Flute – Cheryl Alex
Flugelhorn – Paul Mazzio
English Horn & Oboe – Mitch Iimori
Piano – Steve Christofferson
Bass – Scott Steed
Drums – Ron Steen

4. Arrival
Music – Brad Mersereau
Piano – Bill Beach
Vibraphone – Chris Lee
Bass – Scott Steed
Drums – Ron Steen

5. Autumn Leaves ⁄ You Must Believe in Spring
Music – Joseph Kosma & Michel Legrand
Words – Johnny Mercer, Alan & Marilyn Bergman
Arrangement – Steve Christofferson
Vocal & Electric Piano – Brad Mersereau
Piano – Steve Christofferson
Bass – Scott Steed
Drums – Ron Steen

6. Green Rain
Music – Brad Mersereau
Words – Brad Mersereau, Alice Sedgwick & Janet Mersereau
Orchestration & Arrangement – Michael Elliott
Vocal – Nancy King
Flute – Cheryl Alex
Flugelhorn – Paul Mazzio
Clarinet – Mitch Iimori
Piano – Steve Christofferson
Bass – Scott Steed
Drums – Ron Steen

7. Perennial
Music – Steve Christofferson
Tenor Saxophone – John Gross
Piano – Steve Christofferson
Bass – Scott Steed
Drums – Ron Steen

8. Vision
Dedicated to the Memory of Elwood B. Hedberg
Music – Brad Mersereau
Words – Elwood Hedberg
Choral Conductor – David E. Nelsen
Choir on “Vision” and “Spiritus”:
Sopranos – Kember Lattimer, Esther Mae Jones, Karen Sandness
Altos – Kathryn Maresh, A. Dawn Rae Johnson, Irene Weldon
Tenors – Gary Coleman, Terrill G. Grubbs, David Maier
Basses – C. Arthur Dimond, Matt Delay, Steven Fulmer

9. Au Revoir
Music – Brad Mersereau
Guitar – Dan Balmer
Mellotron & Piano – Brad Mersereau
Bass – Jeff Leonard
Drums – Ron Steen

10. D.E.G. Blues
Music – Brad Mersereau
Piano – Brad Mersereau
Bass – Scott Steed
Drums – Ron Steen

11. The Shadow of Your Smile
Music – Johnny Mandel
Words – Paul Francis Webster
Vocal – Brad Mersereau
Trombone – Jeff Uusitalo
Piano – Steve Christofferson
Bass – Scott Steed
Drums – Ron Steen

12. Picardy (Reprise)

13. Spiritus
Dedicated to the Memory of Roland W. Mersereau
Music & Words – Brad Mersereau
Choral Conductor – David E. Nelsen

14. Sunrise
Music – Brad Mersereau
Tenor Saxophone– John Gross
Synth Strings & Mellotron– Brad Mersereau
Guitar Loop – Bob Stark

Produced by – Steve Christofferson
Recorded & Mixed by – Bob Stark
Mastered by – Ryan Foster
Graphic Design by – Jan Buskirk
Cover Photo – William B. Mersereau
Inside Photo – Janet H Mersereau

 

Received composition credit for tune in Ugly Betty television episode #1-21. For this program only, Arrival was retitled Departure.


Received composition and performance credits for tune in New Amsterdam television episode #3. For this program D.E.G. Blues was retitled How Yuse Doin.

Autumn Waltz

  1. Autumn Waltz – 3:07
  2. Pete’s Penguin “30 Minutes of Fame” – 5:03
  3. Lighthouse – 3:21
  4. Voyager – 4:01
  5. My My Mambo – 3:34
  6. Sanya Grace (View Video) – 2:28
  7. Outta Town (View Video) – 4:21
  8. Nobody Has a Funny Name (View Video) – 4:06
  9. Le Petit Enfant – 2:32
  10. Lucky Blues – 3:22
  11. Autumn Waltz (Reprise) – 3:29
  12. Next Dance – 2:34
  13. All Thanks to Thee – 1:39
  14. Williams Avenue – 5:24

To purchase the Autumn Waltz CD, contact the Union Gospel Mission. To listen to sample tracks, click on one of the links in the list. To view accompanying YouTube videos, click on the “view video” links.

 

Oregon Jazz Scene Review — January 2006 Issue

Autumn Waltz, Brad Mersereau; piano and synthesizers.

This is a mixed bag for Brad Mersereau. Nearly all the tunes are his creations, and many of them have engaging, “catchy” melodies. One such tune is My My Mambo with Steve Christofferson working away at the piano and Nancy King and Tom Grant handling a fun filled vocal duo. Another is Sanya Grace, Mersereau’s delicate waltz. Others that caught my ear were Lucky Blues, Autumn Waltz and a charming piano solo on Next Dance. The synthesizers are mostly kept at arm’s length and with a cadre of Portland pals, Brad Mersereau has given us a CD showing lots of thought and care.
Self-produced, 2005; Play Time: 47:01. (Three stars)

Received composition and performance credits for 2 tunes in the Chris Rock movie, I Think I Love My Wife. For the film only, Sanya Grace has been retitled Song for Sanya, and Lucky Blues has been retitled Feeling Lucky.

Musicians & Credits

1. Autumn Waltz
Dedicated to the memory of Alice Ann Morden
Music & Words – Brad Mersereau
Arrangement & Orchestration – Michael Elliott
Vocal – Tom Grant
Piano – Steve Christofferson
Bass – Dave Captein
Percussion – Reinhardt Melz

2. Pete’s Penguin
Music & Synthesizer – Brad Mersereau
Arrangement & Piano – Steve Christofferson
Pedal Steel Guitar – Paul Brainard
Bass – Dave Captein
Percussion – Reinhardt Melz
Voiceover – Peter Cowal

3. Lighthouse

Hinted at
In muted maybe
Gathering ghostliness
With each gull
Bali Hai…
Fog–feathering–forming
I see a beacon
I hear a lull.

Poem – Janet H. Mersereau
Music – Brad Mersereau
Arrangement, Vocals, Piano & Guitar – Steve Christofferson
Bass – Dave Captein
Percussion – Reinhardt Melz

4. Voyager
Music & Piano – Brad Mersereau
Arrangement & Synthesizer – Steve Christofferson
Bass – Dave Captein
Percussion – Reinhardt Melz

5. My My Mambo
Music, Words & Synthesizer – Brad Mersereau
Arrangement & Piano – Steve Christofferson
Vocal – Nancy King
Vocal – Tom Grant
Bass – Dave Captein
Percussion – Reinhardt Melz

6. Sanya Grace
Music & Piano – Brad Mersereau
Bass – Dave Captein
Percussion – Reinhardt Melz

7. Outta Town
Music & Piano – Steve Christofferson
Dobro – Paul Brainard
Bass – Dave Captein
Percussion – Reinhardt Melz

8. Nobody Has a Funny Name
Author – Janet Hughes Mersereau
Music – Brad Mersereau
Readers – Peter Aidan Tom Cowal & Sanya Grace Tom Cowal

9. Le Petit Enfant
Music – Peter Cowal
Words & Arrangement – Brad Mersereau
Introduction:
Soprano – Sanya Cowal
Alto – Peter Cowal
Tenor – Janet Cowal
Soprano, 1st & 2nd Alto – Carolyn Coefield
1st & 2nd Tenor, Bass – Matthew Smith

10. Lucky Blues
Music & Piano – Brad Mersereau
Bass – Dave Captein
Percussion – Reinhardt Melz

11. Autumn Waltz (Reprise)
Music – Brad Mersereau
Arrangement, Melodica, Keyboards & Vocals – Steve Christofferson
Bass – Phil Baker
Percussion – Ron Steen

12. Next Dance
Music & Piano – Brad Mersereau

13. All Thanks to Thee
Music & Words – Brad Mersereau
Soprano & Alto – Carolyn Coefield
Tenor & Bass – Matthew Smith

14. Williams Avenue
Dedicated to the memory of Phyllis Williams
Music, Piano & Synthesizer – Brad Mersereau
Melodica & Hammond M-3 Organ – Steve Christofferson

Produced by Steve Christofferson
Co-produced by Brad Mersereau
Recorded by Dean Baskerville
Mixed by Bob Stark
Mastered by Ryan Foster
Graphic Design by Jan Buskirk
Cover Photo by Janet H. Mersereau

Christmas Carol

Christmas Carol CD
  1. Christmas Carol – 2:28
    Orchestrated Version (CD Single)
  2. Christmas Carol – 2:39
    Trio Version (Not on CD)
  3. Christmas Carol
 – 2:50
    Olympia Symphony (Not on CD)
    Huw Edwards, Musical Director
    ChristyAnne Hamilton, Soprano

Musicians & Credits

Christmas Carol – Orchestrated

Words & Music – Brad Mersereau
Orchestration & Arrangement – Michael Elliott
Vocal – Marilyn Keller
Flute – Cheryl Alex
Piano – Brad Mersereau
Bass – Phil Baker
Percussion – Ron Steen
Producer – Steve Christofferson
Dedicated to Gerry Young

 

Christmas Carol – Trio

Words & Music – Brad Mersereau
Vocal – Marilyn Keller
Piano – Steve Christofferson
Bass – Phil Baker
Drums – Ron Steen
Producer – Steve Christofferson

Richard Banks — September 2006, Christmasreviews.com

Summary: Wistful and Nostalgic

Brad Mersereau’s song of wistful remembrance, Christmas Carol is executed brilliantly in the voice of Marilyn Keller. Filled with holiday imagery but conveying a sad sense of loss, the song can almost only be properly performed in this easy listening, almost broadway, style. Lyrically, the song seems to shy away from telling a story, in favor of expressing profound sadness with holiday euphemism. Sometimes, I tell musicians a song is missing a verse. I’m not sure that’s not what’s going here. Be that as it may, I enjoyed the vocalist and the pleasing, yet pathos-laden melody.

 

Received composition credit for tune in Everybody Hates Chris television episode #54. For this program only, Christmas Carol was retitled Carol’s Christmas.