PALMA PASCALE (1950-2009)Palma Pascale was a brilliant award winning composer-lyricist, singer, pianist, arranger, producer, and conductor who wrote songs in the Popular, Contemporary Christian and Broadway Show field throughout her long, successful career.

Palma began singing in public as a small child. She began performing having to play a ukulele rather than a guitar, as she was so small; a guitar was bigger than she was! She sang in many languages, and her natural ear for music was in place from birth, as her "perfect pitch" was surprising to her mother and her music teachers when it was discovered as early as six years of age. Her idea of after school fun was to sit under the dining room window with a record player, and play her father's records of Perry Como, Frank Sinatra and Eddie Fisher singing their standard hits, as she analyzed the chord structures and melodies. All of her early school notebooks were filled on the inside front and back covers with the lyrics to the pop songs of the day, and as rock and roll grew, so did her knowledge of the changing music scene. "The Hit Parade" magazine, which contained all the printed lyrics of the early rock and roll and popular music of the day, was her favorite reading material, and although she was an excellent student, Palma couldn't wait for the day she would be done with regular school, and have all her free time to play, sing and write music. And?.that's just what happened!

Palma studied violin and piano, and various percussion instruments, played in school orchestras, and continued to sing as a teenager. She was hired as a studio singer beginning at age 13, making demo records for the songwriters of the day. Her trips into the recording studios of NYC literally changed her life. It was there, in the finest recording studios in Manhattan, that she learned the art of being a studio musician and her love for pop music solidified.

Palma received a full scholarship to Hofstra University where she majored in music, continued to study piano, and became one of the first female student conductors, conducting orchestras for theatrical productions of Broadway musicals done on campus. The graduated with high honors and pursued some further study at the Manhattan School of Music (film scoring) and the Eastman School of Music (arranging); but she began writing popular songs immediately after her graduation from Hofstra.

Her first major success came with the recording of her song, LOVE ME FOR WHAT I AM by The Carpenters on their acclaimed hit album HORIZON, in 1975. Her relationship with that super group lasted for many years. She also wrote the lyrics and music (and eventually also adapted the book) for the musical "where is my hairbrush?, NELL!," which had a pre-Broadway production at the Michael Bennett Studios in New York City. In later years it was done again at the John Houseman Theatre (as part of the 6 O'clock Musicals Showcase), and at Musical Theatre Works and Tada Studios where Palma produced as well as musically directed her own work. The musical was recently a finalist in the Richard Rodgers Contest for new musicals.

Palma was also the composer-lyricist for another musical, "BACHELOR BUTTONS" which has been performed at Hofstra USA Theatre, and was a finalist in the BMI workshop for new musicals.Palma's catalogue of popular music, featuring many wonderful "power ballads" continued to grow right up to 2009. Some of her songs are included on two albums, produced and arranged by the composer entitled "IN AND OUT OF LOVE" and "I'LL LEAVE YOU THE MUSIC." Many of these songs have won awards in the AMERICAN SONG FESTIVAL CONTEST, and Palma had been a yearly winner of ASCAP's "Special Awards" for songwriters.

Palma appeared onstage with the JOFFREY BALLET and the MORGAN SCOTT BALLET companies. She was singing while the dancers danced to a trilogy of her pop songs: the trilogy was entitled "OVER THE OCEAN." The trilogy consisted of three of the songs that can be found on her IN AND OUT OF LOVE CD; "FREE OF YOU," "OVER THE OCEAN" and "HE'S THERE, SHE'S THERE." The latest performance was in Bryant Park in New York City. Her other live performances has included venues such as Reno Sweeney's, Tramps, The Ballroom, Northfork Westbury Music Fair, The Garden City Hotel, and television programs including the Christian Network, Telecare. She was a well-known live entertainer, singing and playing in public throughout her career.

Her voice had been featured on many advertising jingles, and she had written them as well as sung on others. Palma was an incredibly accomplished studio musician, playing piano, performing all the instruments of the orchestra (through computer technology), and singing lead and backup for herself and others.

Palma has arranged for such artists as the famed tenor, Gary Jerome for whom she has also written songs, including "I WANT TO STAY/RIMANGO QUI." She has arranged for, and produced Christian artists, including Al Barbarino, who has also recorded her songs on his album "THE CRY OF THE POOR," and his latest cd, "LET GO, LET GOD." Palma has orchestrated, arranged, played, sang and she had written several songs for Long Island's own Frank Rendo. Some of the titles include: "A ROOM IN MY HEART," ALL I EVER TAUGHT YOU" and more. Palma and Frank did three albums together in as many years.

Palma's first inspirational Christian album is titled THE BROKEN CUP, featuring 14 of her original songs, including "DID YOU TALK TO HIM TODAY", and "GET UP ONE MORE TIME." Her Christian song "STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS" is the title track of the religions album recorded by the Church of the Intercessor, Malverne, New York. She produced the album "KNOWING YOU JESUS" featuring the popular Christian artist, John Joe Roarty. Palma has performed the work of music ministry for several years now, appearing at many churches, as well as Christian coffee houses such as Samantha's Li'l Bit of Heaven, and The Olive Branch.

Most recently, besides the magnificent work she had been doing with both Al Barbarino and Frank Rendo, Palma had also been busy in the studio recording her own new compositions to be included on her latest Christian Ccd entitled "THIS MUST BE HEAVEN." In addition, Palma had also recorded a group of beautiful "worship" songs. She had not intended for them to be released, initially, yet with some coaxing from friends who thought this piano/vocal effort was just so touching and beautiful, she consented to having this released, as well. It is titled "I WORSHIP YOU", and is in final production as of this writing.

Palma was co-producer, arranger and co-writer of the special project for seniors and their caregivers entitled "HUG SOMEONE YOU LOVE" which is also now complete, too. She was the pianist-arranger of "RAGTIME," an album distributed by The Beautiful Music Company, which people continue to order daily, even today.

Palma is featured on one of the largest fan site forums worldwide for The Carpenters. Visit www.carponline.bravepages.com, to read about her association with The Carpenters. Visit Palma's Shoutlife page, too! www.shoutlife.com/palmapascale

And, to read more about Palma's life, her successes, her career and for an in-depth look into the composer's music, click here to read Martini's Musings." www.martinis-musings.blogspot.com.

Palma was proud of her long and productive association with Tiki Recording Studios in Glen Cove, New York. And she was equally as proud of her longtime working and personal relationship with trusted good friend, Fred Guarino. Fred is the owner/engineer at Tiki. He and Palma collaborated on many successful projects over the years. Fred, himself, has produced many highly successful albums for a "who's-who" of recording talent, along with many other projects.

You can click on the "MUSIC" tab (on the home page), to hear some of Palma's music, and to see her complete discography. Ordering information is also included for your convenience, in that section.

Palma's work, who she was, what she knew, what she did - it lives on in the music; and she left it all just for us.