Review Text
Todd Wallin was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. While growing up, he was enchanted by his Father's musical ability. He explains, "When I was growing up, my parents really enjoyed music. My Father would play the organ and accordion by ear. I was fascinated that he could just play something without reading music. I had to know how he did it. He made it look so easy. So while he played I would sit on his right side and pluck out notes on the top of the keyboard. Eventually, I found some notes that would sound good. From there I figured out the rest." At the age of 10 he signed up at school to play the trumpet. Needing more trombone players, the school tried to get him to play the trombone. However, he wanted to be like Doc Severinsen and play the trumpet. The very first time he blew into the mouthpiece, he impressed the instructor with a high "E". Born was a trumpeter. It was then that he developed his knowledge and love of music. As a trumpeter, he won several state awards and honors. Wanting more out of music, Todd sat down at the piano in his high school jazz band on a few songs. He learned then he was more musically involved at the piano than the trumpet. "When I was 18, I heard that there was a band auditioning for a bass guitar player. Having never played a guitar before, but longing to be in a band, I went to the audition. I figured out enough notes on the bass guitar to get the job." For the next 6 years, he was in various bands, playing different instruments. At the age of 23, Todd quit his current band to take a shot as a singer/songwriter in Los Angeles. He gained some interest from Jimmy Jam/Flyte Tyme Records, Dick Griffey/Solar Records, Louis Silas, Jr./MCA Records and Maurice Warfield/Epic Records, but not enough to get signed. In 1991, after spending two years and four demo tapes, he decided to find his own "voice" in music. At that time he decided to look inside himself. He was able to grow and learn what is important in life. He started expressing this through his music. Not with words, just pure music. "My piano music is a source of releasing my emotions and communicating with music, not words." His first CD "Alone" is about searching and finding your own path and simply being alone. No strings or other accompaniment, just piano. His second CD "Unity" is about the unity of music and life. "Music is life, life is music", he says. 'God speaks to us through music'. He hopes to inspire and communicate love. If I had to categorize my music, it would be "Contemporary Instrumental". He does consider it "New Age". He feels that it implies weird, far out sounds. However, he doesn't like to categorize his music. "I simply write what I feel. I don't try to fit in some category." To date, Todd has been selling his music via his website, iTunes, CDBaby.com, Amazon.com, various performances and word-of-mouth. His music has gained much attention and is used by many, from the Givenchy Spa in Palm Springs to small film projects. He also donates his CD's to cancer patients, cancer facilities, treatment centers, hospitals, hospices around the world. He has performed privately for Priscilla Presley in her home and several other celebrities at fundraising benefits. Todd works closely with The Dream Foundation to help terminally ill adults fulfill their dreams. Todd is currently unsigned and is seeking a recording contract and representation. He has situated himself as an independent musician, creating his own CD's, however; he still needs to be "discovered". Without a record company to distribute his music, it would be difficult to reach the people who would appreciate and love his music.
