I write songs and special material for those who ply the world of cabaret, blues and jazz, rooted in the sophisticated lyrics and story-telling tradition of American Songbook standards. Within that framework you might hear a touch of jazz, a deeply felt ballad, the sudden breakout of a samba or bassa, an unexpected gospel tune, a chorus that echoes the 19th century art song - all are grist for the mill.
My songs have been performed throughout the US & abroad in solo shows & numerous showcases, including those sponsored by the ASCAP-MAC Songwriter Showcases in New York, the NY Sheet Music Society, Theater Resources Unlimited in New York, the Washington, DC, Cabaret Network & the Boston Association of Cabaret Artists.
Three revues to date have featured songs from my catalog:
FROM TIN PAN ALLEY TO SILICON VALLEY The Blacksmith House (Cambridge, MA);
THE STORIES IN MY MIND: THE SONGS OF DENNIS LIVINGSTON, the Metropolitan Room (NY), performed by Scott Coulter, Julie Reyburn, Kenneth Gartman, Christina Connors & Alex Goley;
OUT OF THE BOX, presented by members of the Washington, DC, Cabaret Network at the Black Fox Lounge (DC).
A CD based on a live recording of the NY show is available from CD Baby at http://cdbaby.com/cd/dennislivingston.
Four of my songs have been featured on commercial albums:
"It's Time For Roses" by Chris Coleman as the title song of his CD & by Lua Hadar on IT'S ABOUT TIME;
"Sooner Than Someday" by Dane Vannatter on ME & MY BEST FRIENDS: THE SONGS OF BOB LEVY;
“Every Time I Look At You, I Fall In Love Again” by Robyn Spangler on ON A LIQUID AFTERNOON;
“An Ordinary Day” by Nancy Stearns on A WISH.
PDF files of sheet music for songs, arranged for piano and voice, are available upon request.
For more information:
Website: http://www.dennislivingston.com
Facebook professional page: http://www.facebook.com/dennislivingstonsongwriter
You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/denislivingstonsongs (yes, one “n”)
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/dennislivingstonsongs
LIST OF SONGS Some of these may be heard here. All are available at my website. Sooner Than Someday (Words by Bob Levy) This danceable rumba provides the backdrop for the frustrated musings of someone impatient for a friendship to become something more. Why Haven’t I Heard From You? (Words by Bob Levy) This midtempo, dark tango notes that there are so many ways to get in touch these days – but what if the person on the other end doesn’t want your attention? Dangerous Women (Words by Bob Levy) A tango-samba beat to a tune about women who drive men mad with passion, lust and a need to empty the garbage. It’s Time For Roses A romantic ballad about the struggle to make a commitment. An Ordinary Day This is my contemplative response to 9/11, when I thought about the commonplace miracles that stitch together what we take for granted as ordinary days most of the time in this lucky country, in a world in which “ordinary” days are at a premium for too many. Such A Curious Feeling A romantic, uptempo comic song to a bossa beat that asks the musical question: is love just a matter of brain chemistry? I Want It All Back (Words by Trent Walker) A soulful, blues number with a moderate swing tempo about the longing to restore a relationship that’s ended. A Misty Day In Istanbul Midtempo, moody ballad about the breakup of an affair in a city rife with images of the dustbin of history. Springtime In Boston All Boston has gotten for a “my kind of town” song is poor Charlie trying to surface from the subway, dirty water and a few mocking numbers from the past. Until now. This uptempo Latin number tells you about why it’s worth enduring winter for the short, but glorious spring in the beautiful city by the Charles. The Storyteller The real Alice looks back as an elderly woman to the time when she inspired Lewis Carroll to write his Wonderland stories and wonders – what was THAT all about? The Path To My Kingdom Words placed on a mid-19th century Shaker “spirit” drawing by Polly Ann Reed are set to a lilting, hymn-like original melody in versions for either voice with piano accompaniment or a capella. We’re Just Better Off Apart A classic blues number that applies a contemporary bite to dealing with an affair that’s reached a dead end. If I Could Tell You (Set to a poem by W.H. Auden) A mid-tempo song that uses varied musical styles in a setting of Auden's poem about the power of Time to take away all that we cherish. Too Many Books! An uptempo, jazzy comic number about the perils of collecting too many books (or anything else) in a city apartment that’s too small to hold them. Panthalassa A contemplative, Debussy-like song about life in the prehistoric world-ocean ("Panthalassa"). I’m Seeing My Children For Christmas Midtempo story-song about a divorced parent at Christmas time - funny, sad, serious and nothing but the truth about what goes in many "blended" families during the holidays.