John Maellaro
In the 25 years John Maellaro has been a professional musician, he has gained a wide variety of experiences. Whether performing, writing, recording, or producing, he has contributed his creative and unique style to everything he's been involved with.
Born in New York and raised in Southern California, he received his university degree in music composition at the University of Redlands. It was during this time, under the guidance of renowned avant-garde composer Dr. Barney Childs that John began to realize the value and power of taking the unconventional approach. This attitude served him well as he continued his education as a student in the Los Angeles Jazz Workshop, California State University Dominguez Hills, UCLA, and private studies with jazz great Charlie Shoemake.
Early in his career he had the opportunity to work with music therapy pioneers Robert Bearns and Ron Dexter, as well as Flamenco guitarist Anthony Arizaga. This experience gave him an understanding of the physical, emotional, and psychological effects music can have. His application of that sensibility is apparent in all his work. Currently John runs Flying Kitten Music and TAMJAM studios, writing and producing music for various recording, film and TV companies. In addition to working with children's music education, he has recently written music for the "Songs Of Love" foundation providing personalized songs for seriously ill children.
John currently resides in Southern California enjoying life with his wife and daughter.
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Charles Hardman
Charles Hardman first appeared on the stage performing a song and dance routine in an amateur show at the age of a year and a half. Winning first prize, he took home the sum of five dollars. At twelve, Charles began studying voice lessons and guitar lessons; at fourteen, he wrote his first song.
During all five of his careers--in printing, aerospace, postal work, marketing and as the head of an international botanical society (and with a year of acting thrown for good measure)--Charles continued writing songs and eventually developed a shorthand method for musical notation which requires no music paper. Over the years, he studied with some of the best songwriters in the business: Arthur Livingston ("Cry Me A River"), Annette Tucker (many hits of the 60's and 70's), Henry Vars ("Flipper" theme), and Jai Josefs, (songwriter and studio musician).
Pursuing songwriting as a sixth career did not become a reality until after his retirement. But with characteristic full throttle focus, in the last seven years, Charles has released two albums of his own music, an album of children's music in collaboration with John Maellaro and currently he is working on a second children's album with John.
Charles met John Maellaro through a mutual friend, a singer who had worked with John. John served as Charles's musical director and arranger on his first two solo albums.
"Then, in February, 2005, John asked me if I would be interested in writing a children's album with him, "Charles says. "I mulled it over for at least two seconds before responding, "YES!" Billy Gorilly And The Candy Appletree Family is the result of that collaboration between us.
"John is a terrific person to work with. I bring him the lyrics and musical lead sheets and he arranges the songs and plays the instruments. The end results always amaze me. Pure magic!
"John sings on the recordings (he's Billy Gorilly), I sing (Owlton, Pablo, Betty Bat, and Mousie). We hire other singers to work with us on the recordings.
"What makes our collaboration work? "We both listen to each other, we're both flexible to change, and we're both willing to set aside our egos in order to agree on the central issue of our work; the songs and the fun. And whatever we produce, the end results have got to be right. We're both sticklers for detail."
Illustrations By
Bob Brugger
Bob was born and raised in Los Angeles. He studied art at San Diego State University and received a degree in Communication Design. With a friend, he opened a small studio and worked on a variety of projects with a diverse, mostly local clientele. An increasing interest in drawing and painting led him to Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. After graduating with a BA in Illustration he began a freelance career which continues today. Although trained in traditional techniques, Bob’s style has adapted well to the digital environment.
These days he works primarily in Photoshop and Illustrator. Occasionally people ask for paintings in pen and ink and watercolor and he’s happy to accommodate them. His bright, energetic style has caught the attention of designers and art directors across the country. Clients include Price Stern Sloan, Scholastic, Random House, McGraw Hill, Easy Reader, Walt Disney Company, Knott’s Berry Farm, Mattel, General Mills, CBS, NBC, Los Angeles Times, Pepsi, NFL Properties among many others. Bob lives with his wife Kathy and daughters Kelsey and Torrey in Redondo Beach, California.
You rnay reach Bob Brugger with the information below:
bruggerart@msn.com
310-372-0135
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