Diane Moser (1957-2020) was an extraordinary musician, activist, educator and friend. Born in Kansas City, MO and raised in Ankney, Iowa, her musical appetite was insatiable; her gift for the piano, predilection for jazz improvisation, and ability to groove could transport a room. In the words of Fats Waller, Diane Moser was a ‘solid sender.’ She had the innate ability to communicate ‘feeling in sound.’ Diane was also a compelling composer and received multiple awards including Chamber Music America, New Music USA, and fellowships at MacDowell, the Millay Arts Colony, Mid Atlantic Arts, Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust, and the Alice M. Ditson Fund of Columbia University.

I first had the pleasure of performing with Diane Moser five days a week for nine months in the late 1970s as part of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) program in San Diego, and thus began a close friendship and artistic collaboration of more than 40 years. A single mom, she raised her son Chad in San Diego, Brooklyn and eventually in Montclair, New Jersey, where she established herself over 30 years as a beloved piano teacher, composer/performer, and founder of the Diane Moser's Composers Big Band. Diane was dedicated to performing and recording new works; it was a vehicle not only for her, but also for her bandmates and distinguished guest composers to premier their new compositions.

Above all Diane was a new music activist and a true artist. She had a big picture perspective of how music uplifted the community, and often that community was the musicians themselves. As a gifted and inspiring educator, she was on faculty at the New School and Vermont College of Fine Arts and maintained her own thriving piano studio in Montclair.

There are supposedly six degrees of separation between most of us and one another; I’m sure that with Diane Moser, it was five or fewer. Wherever she went she engaged people in conversation and discovered remarkable commonality of ideas, mutual friends, and enthusiasm. She had an uncommon human capacity to connect with people, communicate meaningfully, and affirm others. Her spirit was buoyant, irreverent, and steadfast.

Throughout her life Diane was continually learning, evolving and creating new kinds of work, and provided a peerless role model for her students. Diane composed for solo piano, small ensemble, big band, film, dance and soundscapes, and spent one residency at MacDowell, practicing with the birds and transcribing their songs, which she developed into a compelling repertoire documented on the recording, “Bird Songs.” Her passion for nature and music expanded into the burgeoning field of eco-musicology, and she was invited to present her findings at international conferences in Germany and Canada.

This collection of solo piano works is dedicated to Diane’s memory. All proceeds will go to the Planned Parenthood Foundation of America (PPFA). The project is the brainchild of the big-hearted soul, drummer/composer Vijay Anderson who recruited a roster of gifted pianists including Virg Dzurinko, Satoko Fujii, Ricardo Gallo, Carol Liebowitz, Dred Scott, Mara Rosenbloom and Kazzrie Jaxen. Their generosity and creativity culminate in a powerful tribute befitting Diane Moser. By all means, enjoy this collection, and explore Diane Moser’s own rich discography as well.

Mark Dresser

June 2021, Encinitas CA