My name is Bruce Lloyd Kates, and I am a classically trained musician and pianist living in Los Angeles where I was born. I have long had a passion for writing songs, and my songs are reminiscent of old standards from the 1930’s - an epoch of popular music that owed so much to the classical romantic tradition in its style and sensibility. The songwriters of that time who have had a major influence on me range in their diversity form Irving Berlin to Noel Coward.

One song that might be of special interest is entitled “Lonesome For L.A.” Written in a swing jazz style, it has a catchy tune, cute lyrics, and reminds one of something Sinatra might have sung once he got tired of singing “New York, New York!” In my humble opinion, if any song stands a chance of being selected eventually as L.A.’s official song, this is it!. Jay Reiner of the Hollywood Reporter, upon hearing this song, said, "The best municipal song I’ve ever heard!.”

Another song - “Nostalgia” - has been used as the opening song for a film by Dennis Brooks of Paramount Studios. The recording presented here is from the original sound track. Also, the song “To Fall In Love” is from a musical play I co-wrote called “Sophie” (A Musical Love Story of 1930’s Los Angeles.) It ran for 7 Sundays at the Mark Taper Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles. We had full houses and very enthusiastic audiences, and we have the support and sponsorship of the L.A. Cultural Affairs Department. Written for a man, a woman and a piano accompanist, it is extremely easy to mount, and it offers almost 2 hours of nostalgia and romance - a little trip down memory lane!

You may also be curious to hear a revised version I wrote of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Keeping the same lyrics, and basically the same melody, I attempted to simplify the tune so as to make it less strenuous for people to sing. In fact, Puccini, in his opera Madame Butterfly, did a revised form of the melody, and, quite frankly, I got the idea from him, even borrowing some of his treatment of the melody! My intentions were very respectful and reverent, and the result is a hymn that some have called quite lovely and touching. I do not have the presumption to think that my verson will ever take the place of the official one. However, my efforts to publicize it do have the effect of attracting people's attention to my website!

If II were called upon to describe in one sentence what my songs are about, I would say they are an attempt to bring together and harmonize two very different aspects of myself - the emotional and the rational. But I think that this kind of endeavor - integrating these two sides of one’s nature - is common to the human condition. Perhaps it will strike a chord in a good many people.

I have an extensive portfolio of songs with a wide range of moods and textures, and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to share the results of my creative efforts with the public made accessible to me through the internet. Thank you very much for your time and attention.