“Laughed” is pianist/composer Matt Johnson’s first single release of 2021, and who couldn’t use a healthy dose of laughter these days? This upbeat piece was originally composed in 1993 and comes with the admonition to “never laugh at anyone’s dreams.” The whimsical cover artwork shows a suited adult male wearing goggles and gleefully riding a small tricycle with a rocket strapped to his back - ready to blast off! This is definitely an unusual album cover and I love it!

“Laughed” begins with a slow Cha-cha-chá groove performed on a güiro (a Latin-American percussion instrument). More instruments are added as the piece unfolds, and it becomes a lively Latin jazz piece featuring a 13-member ensemble with brass, percussion and bass as well as Matt’s piano. There is even a pause in the middle for some infectious laughter. What a great way to start the year - and the day, the week, tomorrow’s lunch, etc.! The recording can be downloaded for free from Matt’s website, and it is also available to download and/or stream from Amazon, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, and others.

Matt Johnson also offers his sheet music as free downloads from his site. The sheet music for “Laughed” has been arranged for solo piano and also has several lead sheets. The piano part is nine pages and in the key of Bb minor (5 flats). The lead sheets are all three pages and are in Bb minor (concert pitch), C minor (for Bb instruments), and G minor (for Eb instruments). (And yes, there is a notation to “chuckle” in the appropriate place!) The sheet music for “Laughed” is also available from SheetMusicPlus.com.

Whether you want to listen to or play “Laughed” yourself (or with a few friends!) it’s sure to brighten your day!