SONGS
JAZZ
The two albums of “New Singers, New Songs” premiered twenty original jazz songs with lyrics by Tricia Tunstall and music by Donald Johnston and Wolfgang Lackerschmid (produced in 1993 and 1994 for Bhakti Records).
Singers Valerie Carter, Darius de Haas, Inaya Jafan, Carolee Carmello, Lillias White, Ronnell Bey, and Holli Ross are notable contributors to the worlds of jazz, pop, and musical theater.
Distinguished musicians on the recordings include:
Randy Brecker, trumpet; Chuck Loeb, guitar; Lee Konitz, saxophone; Lawrence Feldman, saxophone; Jack Wilkins, guitar; Attila Zoller, guitar; John Lee, electric bass; Belden Bullock, double bass; Ron McClure, double bass; Jeff Hirschfield, drums; Wolfgang Lackerschmid, vibraphone; Donald Johnston, piano.
SONGS FOR KIDS
In the late 1980s, Tricia Tunstall and Donald Johnston were inspired by the growing prominence of Earth Day celebrations to write a song for the children of their older son’s nursery school class. This version was recorded by Broadway star Lee Roy Reams and broadcast in Central Park on Earth Day 1990.
In 1995, Tricia wrote the lyrics, with Donald Johnston’s music, for thirty original songs for the four-video Redbook Learning Adventures Series. Here are a few samples.
“Nine Lost Cows” (Tricia, lyrics; Donald, music; Michael McCormick, vocal)
“Hangin’ Around” (Tricia, lyrics and vocals; Donald, music)
"Born to Be Blue" (Tricia, lyrics and vocals; Donald, music)