Sacramento-based pianist Richard Glazier says his 2019 album, “Pure Imagination: Great Songs from the Stage and Screen,” was inspired by music he listened to as a boy. And it’s a way to memorialize his mother. The CD was recorded at the Harris Center in Folsom. 

An early life experience set the stage for Glazier’s musical education and career. At age 9, the classically-trained pianist saw the film "Girl Crazy." The score of the movie was by George and Ira Gershwin. Glazier was so excited by the music he heard, he wrote a fan letter to lyricist Ira Gershwin.  After corresponding with him for three years, Gershwin invited Glazier, who by then was 12, to meet him in Beverly Hills.  

During their visit, Ira asked Glazier to play a Gershwin tune on the piano that once belonged to his brother, composer George Gershwin. Fueled by Ira's encouragement and interest, Glazier dedicated himself to the Gershwin repertoire and the music of the Great American Songbook. Glazier performs the music from his new CD at Modesto’s Gallo Center on Nov. 17 at 4 p.m.