George Maurer

Maurer founded the independent label, Pine Curtain Records in 1986, bringing a distinctive "sound of the pine curtain" to listeners of his many original solo piano releases. Maurer's incredible sound has recieved such recognitions as a nomination for "Best Jazz/Mainstream Album of the Year" for the Minnesota Music Awards, 1998 NACA "Jazz Entertainer of the Year" for his nationwide performances on college campuses, and the "Top 25 Albums of the Year 1997" for Land of Rest (Wind and Wire), among others.

Concert tours have carried the sound of the Pine Curtain from Canada to the Carribean and from coast to coast with performances at college campuses nationwide to fine arts spaces such as the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, MN and Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, MN. Radio stations from Public Radio to the nationally syndicated Breeze network have all carried the music of George Maurer and the sound of the Pine Curtain into many homes nationwide, and all over the world.

Songs From the Wayward Journey A diverse array of musical styles erupts from George Maurer's latest compilation of eclectic compositions, Songs From the Wayward Journey. Be-bop bumps into ballet, music-theater tangles with pop music, and poetry gets infused with jazz on this musical journey that includes everything from a film score to an industrial rock anthem for the St. John's University football team. Songs From the Wayward Journey shows off George Maurer as composer, with over an hour of new material written in a number of different genres, featuring some of the top vocal and instrumental talent from the Twin Cities and Central MN. CD Price: $14.97

Falling Colors The music on this album relates to scenes George has encountered in his travels, and reflect his ability to use music to tell stories without words. One of George's most popular releases to date! CD Price: $14.97

Sniff The Mitten Just in time for Christmas, the George Maurer Jazz Group releases its new holiday CD, Sniff the Mitten, on Dec. 1. (See why they call themselves slightly irreverent?) Sniff the Mitten was recorded live at Minneapolis Dakota Jazz Club in December 2006 and features the groups innovative takes on classic Christmas songs. CD Price: $14.97

Jazz Nog Led by pianist/composer George Maurer, the George Maurer Group performs traditional jazz to swing, blues to bebop, and a healthy dose of originals. With special guest: Jim Ten Bensel, trombone, bass trumpet. Captures the spontaneity of a live George Maurer Group performance, with the sounds of a live jazz club in action and the usual group banter that is a staple of their performances. A Christmas treat served with a little too much nutmeg... CD Price: $14.97

Dreams Once Lost George Maurer's highly anticipated new solo piano release - his first since 1998's Christmas In the Pines. This is an all-original collection of introspective improvisations, rich in rhythm, textured and vibrant. Dreams Once Lost is rooted in the solo piano tradition of earlier George Maurer releases, notably his first CD, Behind the Pine Curtain, while reflecting his more recent accomplishments composing for theater, jazz, and film. "The solo stylings of George Maurer have returned - reflective, evolving, textured and imaginative." CD Price: $14.97

Retrospect Celebrating the 15th anniversary of his first solo piano CD, Pine Curtain Records brings you a collection of "composer's picks" from nine memorable George Maurer solo piano and ensemble releases. Retrospect is dedicated to the memory of Fr. Paul Schweitz, O.S.B, (1952-2000), well-known as the 'Padre of the Pines' and to his love for and service to the 2400 acres of lakes, woodlands, and fields of a landscaped paradise known as St. John's Abbey & University, in Collegeville, MN - the source of inspiration for many of the songs within this CD. CD Price: $14.97

Christmas In the Pines "Christmas is.....any number of things, I suppose. For you, the listener, Christmas is perhaps the sound of the first off-key carolers of the season, the first snowfall, or the absence of Thanksgiving leftovers on your dinner plate. For me, I encounter Christmas in an African-American spiritual, Appalachian, English, French, German, and Latin carols, and in a small town of my dreams. In reality, Christmas is where our hearts are at. Mine is in and among the snow-shrouded forests that make up the Pine Curtain, a place where music, imagination, friendships, and simple hope dwell. It is a place you can find yourself at when you listen to Christmas In the Pines." CD Price: $14.97

Land of Rest No market research, demographic studies, focus groups, nor books-on-how-to-write-a-hit-song were used in creating the music for this album. Just enough of it was scored (some of it in a car on the way to the studio) for the fuest musicians to figure out where to start playing and when to stop. Beyond that, the piano player did his usual thing and improvised the rest, (having an aversion to writing notes down). In other words, this is music from the heart. The music on this album has been chosen, arranged, and written to celebrate the yearning we all feel to complete our hourney here on Earth "our happy home" as best as we can. CD Price: $14.97

Silent Past/Powerful Presence This is a special collection of the best of George Maurer, with over 70 minutes of concert material and original compositions/arrangements. There's a story behind every song on this CD, and George has taken the time to put pen to paper and let you in on where the music comes from. You'd be surprised at some of the stories! CD Price: $14.97

Behind the Pine Curtain This is George Maurer's debut solo piano release, and the album that first brought the sound of the Pine Curtain to listeners the world over. Reflective, original, timeless, and soulful, George's music brings you to a land of comfort and of rest, where introspection and silence balance with a sense of purpose and belonging. It is all found behind the Pine Curtain. CD Price: $14.97