Album Notes

Robert Ashford's music will appeal to anyone who loves melody.

Robert Ashford's CD, Heroes and Heroines, is aired on over eighty radio stations. For over a decade, this CD has received continuing air play and earns steady royalties. What is its secret? Beautiful melodies and sweet harmonies that are imediately appealing and that grow on you the more you hear them.

Robert Ashfords compositions are "contemporary classical" only in the sense that they are of recent creation; but they are rich in the melodic and harmonic traditions of the past. Building on traditions of seventeenth, eighteenth, and eary nineteenth centuries), his music is reminiscent of renaissance, baroque, classical and early romantic music; and yet his melodies are fresh and distinctive, unmistakeably the work of composer with an original voice. They appeal not only to classical music lovers who prefer earlier classical music, but also to those who love easy listening, new age, musicals, soft rock and ballads--anyone who loves beautiful melody. Ashford's music is calming and centering; it promotes concentration and is good for children.

Public appreciation of Robert Ashford's music is growing. According to BMI'S Ralph Jackson, "Robert Ashford's music is receiving a level of air play that is unprecedented for an emerging composer on a new label. His compositions are aired as musical interludes on National Public Radio's All Things Considered.

Noted musicologist, Donald Campbell, champion of the "Mozart Effect" says, "Robert Ashford's music is "both awakening and calming at the same time...clean, beautifully structured, and inspiring."

Ornette Coleman says, "Robert Ashford's music has a natural, spiritual beauty that everyone should hear."

Josy McGinn, former producer of the radio program "Music Before Bach" says, "With extraordinary originality, Robert Ashford builds on centuries of melodic development from early madrigals through Schubert and beyond, adding fresh contemporary expression, to compose truly exquisite new melodies that will be borrowed, arranged, and orchestrated by others well into the future."

Robert Ashford's compositions are gaining international recognition. According to Rachael Kohn, Producer of the "The Spirit of Things" on ABC Radio National, Australia, (www.abc.net.au/religion), "Heroes and Heroines is just beautful. I listen to it over and over again with a joy that does not diminish....Robert Ashford's music is a break in the clouds, a true delight."

Robert Ashford regards his music as an expression of love. "My heart goes out to people who work to create the kind of beauty that makes life more livable ... that gives people strength and courage carry on."