Robert Kramer
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Robert Kramer is an American singer/songwriter/performer and record producer.
Contents |
[edit] About
[edit] Biography
Robert Kramer (born Robert Joseph Albert Kowalski on October 28, 1954) in Chicago, Illinois, is an American singer, composer, actor, musician and record producer. His musical styles include classical, pop/rock, jazz, folk and instrumental avant-garde influences. One of his well-known releases is the basset hound rescue album Remember Their Lives which weaves an intricate blend of piano ballads, uptempo comedy themes, orchestral and chamber instrumentals and blues into a release that has since become the unofficial "basset rescue soundtrack album".
A simultaneous solo release, Blood On the Full Moon yielded him his first commercially recognized single, "Who Says", which went on to be Kramers' first officially published song, appearing in the soundtrack of an independent film titled "Monkey Love", which starred Jeremy Renner & Amy Stewart.
Continuing to write and record, he released an all-original classical album titled Songs Of Past Lives. The album received both acclaim and criticism for its new age/ambient neo-renaissance tones.
Late in 2002, Kramer began to broaden his exposure to the public and to champion the indie do-it-yourself ethic. A series of live performances and several independent releases eventually attracted the attention of filmmakers and music publishers.
Continuing to record and produce, he released Legacy Of Love in late 2005, which, to date is his most popular and commercial album. Among the contributing session musicians on this project was "Napoleon Murphy Brock", former lead vocalist and musician for Frank Zappa. In addition, he has taken on various minor acting roles over the years as an extra in feature films such as "The Break Up", the controversial pseudo-documentary "Death Of A President", and appears briefly in the "The Express", a film about the life and times of football legend Ernie Davis. His songs have been used in various tv and film projects over the years, including an episode of daytime Emmy-winning soap, "The Young & The Restless", where Kramers' Halloween song "Ghost In My House" had its' debut on the CBS television network.
Kramer performs on the keyboards, guitar and organ and produces most of the recordings released by independent label "Dimension One Records", and is currently in the studio working on his next project.
[edit] Awards & Certifications
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[edit] News
Robert Kramers' song "Ghost In My House" placed in Halloween episode of daytime Emmy-winning soap opera, "The Young & The Restless"
[edit] Tours & Concerts
Soon to be announced.
[edit] Announcements
Oct. 2008 - "Live & Otherwise" release delayed till Dec.
Nov. 2008 - Kramer in studio to do preliminary recording sessions for next album "Beyond The Great Divide"
[edit] Discography
Comprehensive list of the recordings made.
[edit] Albums
 2005 Dimension One |
 2001 Dimension One |
 2002 Ibob Digital |
 2001 Ibob Digital |
 2004 Dimension One |
[edit] Compilations and Live Releases
| Date | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Now Hear This | Futurama |
| 2002 | Oasis New Age Sampler | Oasis |
| 1999 | Chaos Sampler | Ryanetics |
| 2007 | 4LW | Dimension One Records |
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[edit] Trivia
- Robert Kramer began his musical training at the age of 7 on the Hammond organ, and during his early years, performed in various recitals at Lyon Healy music store in downtown Chicago.
- He composed and recorded "Goodbye Bedford Falls" as a tribute to the classic Frank Capra Christmas movie "It's A Wonderful Life", and actually sent a copy of the song to actor Jimmy Stewart, who personally acknowledged the song in a letter to Robert claiming "it keeps the spirit of the movie "It's A Wonderful Life" very well. The two sent Christmas cards to each other for some years after until the death of the actor.
- Kramer became interested in local public access tv in the 1980's and joined a television comedy troupe for a short time as an actor on a program called "The Friday Club". During a stunt on one of the programs, Robert broke his neck, but was unaware of it until revealed about a year later in a physical check-up after he complained of growing numbness in his fingers and legs. The numbness gradually progressed to the point where he could barely walk and lost all ability to play keyboards and guitar. After a spinal operation, Robert eventualy recovered most of his playing abilities after extensive therapy during which he had to completely re-learn how to play the keys and guitar.
- Robert Kramer has continued his interest in acting, and has appeared in various films and tv shows over the years.
[edit] Film
Remember Their Lives (Composer/musician) Dimension One Records
Happy Birthday (Office worker) Columbia College
Dawn (Attorney) Columbia College
Death Of A President (Protestor) BBC
The Break-Up (pedestrian) Universal Pictures
Pokerhouse (Spectator) Universal Pictures
The Express (heckler) Universal Pictures
A Family Story (farmer) Alexander Syndikas
[edit] Television
Undercover:Double Life (FBI Agent Tom Zychowski) Towers Productions
Animal Witness (Episode) (Construction worker) Towers Productions
Animal Witness (Episode) (Police Detective) Towers Productions
Grave Justice (Tru-TV) (suspect/pallbearer) Towers Productions
The Young & The Restless (music background) Ghost In My House (composer/performer) CBS
[edit] Reviews
[edit] External Links
