For 30 years, Wisconsin musician, composer, and producer John Altenburgh has been creating memorable songs in the Jazz, Blues, RnB, Classical, and Rock genres. Three of his albums have charted on the Billboard Jazz charts, and he's been featured on NBC’s Poker After Dark, Comedy Central, National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, and many more. Playing frequently live and on national syndicated Blues programs, John has been heard on Blues Deluxe, At The Crossroads, and Dan Aykroyd’s House of Blues. He has also produced albums for numerous Jazz artists, including Mike Metheny.
A medium tempo gospel flavored song about a burning desire to change one's life. My soul's on fire is a statement of redemption and a cry from the "road" remembering a different time and a plea to those around to just "keep it light." Male Vocals, RnB, Southern Soul
Upbeat instrumental contemporary jazz piece. Strong beat and powerful saxophone. The song is in 3 parts, basic melody with a hook line intro followed by a slower bridge, followed by a very aggressive solo section. Would be a good choice for anything from a stroll down the sidewalk to a chase scene, Instrumental, Jazz, Jazz Fusion
A heartfelt song about an inspirational person (male or female) growing old. Sung in the first person, the singer asks the question "Can you do it again" wishing the person could turn back time and give us hope again, one more round of greatness. parents, grandparents, teachers, sports heroes etc. Male Vocals, Pop, Pop Ballad
A heartfelt contemporary jazz ballad that stirs emotion and sets a reflective mood for anywhere from lost love, to remembering your childhood or an old friend. The muted trumpet, along with the distinctive drum groove, gives it a contemporary urban feel. Beautiful melody. Instrumental, Jazz, Nu Jazz
Medium tempo Urban Jazz. Muted trumpet and hip hop beat gives this song a big city feel. Walking down the Avenue, sulty, romantic. Excellent Theme song music. Rainy nights, warm Summer air, city lights. Instrumental, Jazz, Nu Jazz
A med. tempo song about being surrounded by "Crazy People." No matter where you go, where you sleep, they are all around you. When you are at the crossroads of life, don't listen to the (crazy people) about what to do. Follow your own path and, if you make mistakes, at least they are your own! Male Vocals, RnB, Memphis Soul
A medium tempo piano blues trio piece. Good for just about anything. A classic 12 bar blues with a bright bouncy feel to it with good piano riffs. Instrumental, Blues, Jump
A contemporary jazz song that switches from melancholy to uptempo, dramatic and aggressive rhythms with plenty of burning solos. A slower bridge that creates tension to a driving solo section. Instrumental, Jazz, Nu Jazz
An up tempo song about a hot girl with long legs who can dance/jump so hard. Sexy, the hottest thing in the club. Everybody wants her, no one can have but me, and I can't keep up with her! Swingin' jump blues/jazz with hot solos. Male Vocals, Blues, Jump Blues
Uptempo jazzy/blues instrumental. Bright, bouncy, with a driving beat. Perfect for creating an image of determination and hope. Saxophone driven with a gritty guitar section in the middle. Confidence, determination and moving forward. Instrumental, Jazz, Jazz Rock
Medium tempo instrumental funky jazz song. The song is segmented into two parts. The "A" section identified by the funky wah wah pedal of the guitar followed by a more straight back beat rock feel. Solos by guitar, organ and muted trumpet. Instrumental, Jazz, Nu Jazz
This slower composition combines a non-standard form of rhythm with dark, mysterious sounds and delivers an ominous setting. The middle section breaks away to a more melodic standard form providing a false sense of security as it suddenly moves back to the dark side. Suspense, mystery unease, Instrumental, Dangerous, Dangerous Music
Uptempo, Instrumental featuring piano. Upbeat canjun style blues. Great for any kind of Mardi Gras or New Orleans themed project. Also features solos by harmonica, saxophone and slide guitar. Instrumental, Blues, Delta Blues
A bluesy R&B tune in the style of the old Saturday Night Live theme. Perfect for closing credits. Saxophone and guitar drive this gospel type blues in three/four time. Emotional and driving, sentimental and emotional. Romantic drama, slow dancing, urban nights in big cities. A bit lonely and bluesy. Instrumental, RnB, Soul
Medium tempo instrumental jazz tune with a rock beat. The song features bright saxophone to set an up-lifting mood. The bridge provides a slower feel and creates tension to the solo sections which kicks into a feverish full production of instruments. Instrumental, Jazz, Jazz Rock
A light contemporary jazz song with a latin beat. Hope, good will, sentimental, love and comfort are just some of the emotions produced. Middle solo piano section does create a little tension but quickly comes back to the care-free feel to the song. Instrumental, Jazz, Latin Jazz
Times Flies is a song about the singer's observations of life. Confusion about what he thinks he sees and what's in fact, reality. A song of hope and also disappointment and the paradox of life in general. Male Vocals, Rock, Soft Rock
Uptempo traditional jazz selection featuring saxophone and vibraphone. Good where the traditional small group jazz sound would be appropriate. Night club jazz, big city jazz. Instrumental, Jazz, Bebop
Whimsical up-tempo jazz waltz. Creates a sense of hope, happiness, contentment and satisfaction. Saxophone and piano solos are bright and clear. Would be good displaying family and home themes. Instrumental, Jazz, Jazz Waltz
A gritty Organ and drums duet. A classic 1940s, 50s & 60s sound. Right out of the Mel Rhyne (Wes Montgomery Trio) organ sound bag. Mel actually set the stops of the organ up for me before I recorded it. Although my playing would never be confused with the legendary jazz organist, the tone is classic, Instrumental, Jazz, Swing Ensembles
A Pop ballad similar to "Lately Days." A sleepy, heartfelt, emotional song about life's struggles and the hope of singing a simple song..."I won't have it that way." Sentimental, questioning life, nostalgic, sweet and moody. Uplifting hopeful and elegant. Loving caring and stirring entertainment, Male Vocals, Jazz, Lounge Jazz Vocals
Latin jazz song with various rhythmic changes to the beat. The minor key used gives the listener a mysterious feel, but has moments of uplifting thoughts when arriving at the bridge of the song. May be a good fit for a "searching for someone" in a spy or detective scene. Instrumental, Latin, Afro-Colombian
Medium slow rock ballad about someone who leaves a light on to signify they are waiting for another to return. Alone and getting older, she waits and waits. realizing she made mistakes but still has hope that the person she is waiting for will return. It never happens and she eventually passes on. Male Vocals, Pop, Alt Pop
A very moody piece that can create a backdrop from anything from love to remembrance. Piano, percussion backed by strings and layered sounds. A creation of fantasy and dreams. Instrumental, Dramatic, Ethereal Music
A jazz ballad about lost love in the City of Chicago. Remembering the last time the singer was in that city and the heartbreak that ensued. Very emotional with piano, orchestra and percussion. Male Vocals, Jazz, Lounge Jazz Vocals
Slow rock ballad that sings about a lover that had to have him, and was deceived in the process. An aspiring singer who's new found love threatens to destroy the free spirit of the singer by his lover crushing his spirit with lies, deceit and demands. Male Vocals, Rock, Soft Rock
Jazzy latin rock song. Featuring the tenor saxophone. This medium tempo is bright and energetic. The mood set is one of determination and moving forward. The second section of the song is a little darker but quickly comes back to opening them. Instrumental, Jazz, Latin Jazz
One of two versions of this song (Orange Face.) This song is basically in two parts, the first a slower more reflective feel. It transitions to a more uptempo rockish feel. Instrumental, Jazz, Latin Jazz
Up-Tempo jazz tune with a rock beat. Strong solos by guitar, piano and saxophone. Hard driving, strong and forceful. Complete with full horn section. Would be good for sports, dramatic and powerful. Instrumental, Jazz, Jazz Rock
Up-Tempo contemporary jazz with saxophone and synthesizer solos. Kind of space age sounding. A slower short bridge serves to rev up remainder of the song. Instrumental, Jazz, Jazz Fusion
Latin guitar duet. This slower/medium tempo song creates images of emotional subjects... love, regret, missing someone, sorrow or perhaps melancholy remembrance's and love. Instrumental, Latin, Flamenco
An medium uptempo jazz latin instrumental. Uplifting and energetic. The Middle section brings the feel to a more reflective, dark type of listening atmosphere. It comes back to the general theme with plenty of solos and instrumentation's along the way. Instrumental, Jazz, Latin Jazz
Medium slow Latin jazz instrumental song featuring classical guitar, soprano saxophone, upright bass and percussion. Strolling through an inner city, late night at the beach. A little bit darker in flavor with it's minor chords and lazy tempo. Instrumental, Jazz, Latin Jazz
Traditional jazz song written in the style of the small jazz combo groups of the 1950's. Imagine an old smokey night club in the inner city. Instrumental, Jazz, Bebop
A dark, sinister avant-garde piece that uses all kinds of synthesized musical sounds to create an ominous feel. Would be great to create thrilling, looking over your shoulder type scenes. The main part is a floating collection of sounds for suspense. The last part with heavy drums for chase effect, Instrumental, Dangerous, Dark Music
This song has numerous sections. The first, a melodic, slow vocal interlude transforming into a jazz combo with vocals. The middle sections feature a vocal chorus then to a big band instrumental. A swinging tune about sailors going to sea... one evening long ago. Wrote this song from a wartime photo, Male Vocals, Jazz, Swing Big Band
Jazz in 6/8 time featuring the sounds of the Electronic Wind Instrument EWI. A somewhat haunting, irregular sound that creates a special mood of intensity. Also features a piano solo and a "trading of fours" between the EWI, drums and eventually the bass and piano. Instrumental, Jazz, Nu Jazz
Instrumental jazz/blues with strong back beat. Horn section to give it some sophistication and driving solos by guitar, piano and saxphone Good crusin music,, Instrumental, Blues, Modern Electric Blues
Medium tempo jazz with swing beat. Saxophone quartet with upright bass, piano and drums. Some scat type singing following melody for a little different flavor. A feel good, light-hearted piece. Instrumental, Jazz, Modern Jazz
A medium slow rock song with esoteric lyrics off the beaten path about a lonely person who wants to know, "Why didn't anyone ever tell me." A song of dispair, loneliness, a comentary of what the singer has witnessed in his life. Plenty of symbolism and double meanings. Male Vocals, Jazz, Jazz Rock
Uptempo jazz waltz. Bright, sophisticated track with horn section, saxophone, vibraphone and piano backed by drums, upright bass. A contemporary jazz feel. Solos by organ, saxophone and bass. A lively song suited for hope, high spirits, traveling, exploring. A feel good song with big finish. Instrumental, Jazz, Nu Jazz
Medium tempo rock song about going through the years. Starts in the 60's and works up to the present. Remembering various events through the singers' life. Male Vocals, Rock, Roots Rock
A song about the fictitious Lazy Jane. This medium tempo country song asks the question, "Can you tell us where he is my dear?" In response to her lack of caring and doing. "You told us you care!" The life of times of the little gold-digger, Jane. Male Vocals, Country, Country Rock
Up tempo jazz vocal with horns and vocal ensemble. See My Breath is a song about being so cold..."I can see my breath!" Great for any kind of Winter scene where snow and cold are dominant. Plenty of instrumental solos in the middle for musical interludes and segways. Male Vocals, Jazz, Swing Ensembles
A melancholy, traditional jazz piece. It features a happy-go-lucky feel with saxophone, piano, bass and drums. Lush urban vibe, late night club scene, new romance. Elegant chic 1960s 1970s entertainment, floor show, country club dance. Candlelight dinner, slow dancing. Sweet flirty and fun. Instrumental, Jazz, Lounge Jazz
Light Latin flavored instrumental. The sound of a classical guitar mixed with various percussion instruments, bass and tenor sax. Imagine a tropical setting or perhaps something you may hear in a back club in South Beach. A 1950's to 60's small group latin/jazz combo sound. Instrumental, Jazz, Latin Jazz
A jazz waltz featuring trumpet back by a jazz quartet and orchestra. The song opens with a haunting, love lost type of feel. Dramatic, yet charming. It moves to standard jazz waltz and finishes with full orchestra. Moving and inspirational! Love, romance and sentimental over-tones. Instrumental, Jazz, Nu Jazz
Bluesy slower swing type song. A down and outer feels the pain of lost love. She faded away as he did nothing to stop it. Piano and raw saxophone are the featured solo instruments. Very visual lyric content about city scenes. Urban scenes, guy sad over lost romance, now alone and lonely. Sentimental, Male Vocals, Jazz, Lounge Jazz Vocals
A slow sentimental ballad with piano, strings and male vocal. A melancholy song remembering a past place, a friend and/or lover. Perhaps it is a dream...."was I just dreaming?" A song about past loss and hope for the future... "It's going to be alright." Male Vocals, Pop, Soft Pop
