Charles Griffes composed a piano sonata that I think is killing. More specifically, the second movement from his second piano sonata. The sounds are sad and profound with an introspective feel; Something not to common in today's musical world. I find so much music to be blatantly obvious and of the simple and dumbed down meaningless bullshit. Then again, that is quite obvious and I don't know why I just pointed it out. Maybe I should retract...NO! One is allowed to feel what he feels.

Griffes was from Elmira, New York. Fucking Elmira?!! If any of you have been there it is, to say the least, a throwback. I stopped off there coming back from a gig up in Ithaca one winter and my wife and I were like "Where the fuck are we?" Unbelievably weird, but an interesting experience.

Back to the music, which I'm listening to right now. It has made a serious impact on me and continues to influence my improvisation and composition. One of these days I'll actually get to do a solo piano concert on a qualified instrument in a proper musical setting. 

Griffes didn't have much time to accumulate a large body of work, but what he left is quality. He died from the Flu at age 35 and is buried in New Jersey. 

Worth a listen, especially for any piano players out there. Definitely helps keep me on track as finding inspiration gets more and more difficult with each passing year...