Adrienne Torf began studying piano at the age of 3 1/2, “not because my parents were hoping for a musical prodigy,” she says, “but because there was a wonderful piano teacher living on our street and all the kids took lessons from her. Beatrice Sigel taught me elementary music theory as well as how to play the piano. I learned to read and write music before I learned to read and write English, so you could say it’s my first language, as fundamental and natural as breathing for me.”

In high school she studied with Allen Barker and accompanied theater and choral performances at The Winsor School in Boston. Her musical pursuits extended to joining a disco band while at Smith College, where she continued to study piano with Monica Jakuc. “Allen Barker introduced me to the work of composers who were masters at telling stories and conveying visuals through music – Debussy, Ravel, Satie. He also brought me to the music of Bela Bartok, where I learned about the piano’s possibilities as a percussion instrument. And Monica Jakuc exposed me to the work of living composers, including John Cage, from whom I learned that even the random sounds of the city can be heard as music.”

Back to top

Each piece on Brooklyn From The Roof is stylistically unique…[Torf] has technique to burn (and enough artistic maturity to use it wisely). Brooklyn is a strong contribution, imbued with emotional intensity and impressive aesthetic awareness.

Lee Underwood, Tower Pulse!

Brooklyn From The Roof is a gem of an album…[It] shows her to be a commanding talent, by turns romantic, introspective and witty.

Jeff McLaughlin, The Boston Globe

…[a] gifted young American composer and keyboard artist…

The New York Times

Adrienne Torf is a true musician. Her compositions go beyond the frame of jazz and the classics to create a free and unique world. Yet, she maintains a dignity essential in music. Brooklyn From The Roof is colorful, mysterious and profound.

ADLIB Magazine

Move over George Winston and Philip Glass. Adrienne Torf is coming into her own.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Adrienne is an incredible pianist.

Holly Near

One of 1988’s 10 best albums…

Susan Wilson, The Boston Globe

Torf succeeds in communicating her love of music, and in pulling us into it with her.

Tatiana Schreiber, GCN

Torf’s delicately skilled touch blended perfectly, no matter what the style…[In] the evening show-stopper, “Hay Una Mujer”…Torf performed an amazing, complex arrangement of the tune [which] brilliantly and eloquently conveyed the horror and loss.

S.L. Guthrie, Anchorage Daily News

Back to top

TWO HANDS OPEN (ABongo Music, 2003). Original music for piano; Leslie Ann Jones, producer.

JUNE JORDAN and ADRIENNE TORF: COLLABORATION (Selected Works, 1983-2000), (2003). Poetry and lyrics by June Jordan, music by
Adrienne B. Torf. Featuring performances by Jordan and Torf, Cris Williamson, Rhiannon, Andre dos Santos Morgan, Jeanie Tracy and others; Adrienne Torf, producer.

BROOKLYN FROM THE ROOF, ABongo Music (1988; re-issued 2003) and Nippon Phonogram (1987). Original music for piano and synthesizers; Leslie Ann Jones, producer.

FIND A WAY, ABongo Music (1990). Original music for piano and synthesizers; Adrienne Torf and Patrice Perkins, producers.

WITH OTHERS

SIMPLY LOVE, Holly Near, Calico Tracks Music (2000)

INSIDE OUT, The IMA Sessions, Ferron, IMA (1999)

DREAM FORWARD, DreamForward (1998).

DRIVER, Ferron, Cherrywood Station (1994).

ANOTHER PLACE, Margie Adam, Pleiades Records (1993).

GARDEN OF ECSTASY, Kay Gardner, Ladyslipper Records (1989).

MOTHER WIT and INNER DANCE, Diane Mariechild and Shuli Goodman, in conjunction with Mother Wit books (1987).

SHADOWS ON A DIME, Ferron, Lucy Records (1984).

FROM THE HEART, Meg Christian, Olivia Records (1984).

LIVE AT CARNEGIE HALL, Meg Christian and Cris Williamson, Olivia Records (1983).

SPEED OF LIGHT, Holly Near, Redwood Records (1982).

FIRE IN THE RAIN, Holly Near, Redwood Records (1981).

COMPILATIONS

NWMF Silver, Women In The Arts (1999)

A LOVE WORTH FIGHTING FOR, with Holly Near, Streeter Productions (1995)

FRUIT COCKTAIL, with Holly Near, Streeter Productions (1997)

MICHIGAN LIVE ’85, with Holly Near, August Night Records (1986)

Back to top

Click to enlarge for downloads. Photo credits - Aicha Nystrom

Back to top