Montana Stillwater is the debut solo piano album by Wayo Hogan, an artist with a long musical history in the Pacific Northwest. Produced by Scott R. Hansen, the twelve original tracks were recorded at Stillwater Landing, a secluded retreat at the doorstep of Glacier National Park in Montana, and each piece captures the essence of various elements of the park. I visited Glacier quite a few years ago and have always wanted to go back, and this album just might give me the push to do it! Quoting Wayo Hogan: “With this album, I wanted to distill the essence of Montana’s natural beauty—the stillness, the power, and the deep sense of peace you find in these places. Each piece is a journey, an invitation to pause and connect with the landscape in a profound way.” With awards from Clouzine International Awards for Best New Age Album for Spring 2025 and bronze medals from Global Music Awards for both Hogan and Hansen, the album is obviously gaining traction!

Montana Stillwater begins with "Stillwater Landing," a joyful and upbeat piece inspired by the serene yet lively energy of the place where the album was recorded - a great start! "Lake McDonald is Glacier's largest lake and "On Lake McDonald" captures the sparkling, tranquil beauty of being on (or near) that body of water. "Whitefish Lake" has an exhilarating energy that gives Wayo a chance to let his fingers dance all over the piano keyboard. "Swan River" slows the tempo to a graceful, dreamy pace and brings images of sunbeams dancing on the ripples of the flowing river. A colorful bit of musical storytelling, "On the Road to Polebridge" weaves together a variety of themes to describe a journey down the remote road to Polebridge. Sometimes bright and lively and sometimes calmer and more thoughtful, it tells quite a tale! If you've been to Glacier Park, you've undoubtedly been on Going-to-the-Sun Road - one of the most spectacular drives I've ever done. "Going to the Sun" captures the breath-taking views and surprises around each curve in the road. "Bear Valley" was inspired by "the vast, grounding stillness of Bear Valley," and incorporates open spaces into the music to reflect and take in the beauty of the place. "Crown of the Continent" has an almost hymn-like quality to it, reflecting on the grandeur of Glacier's peaks. The more-meditative "Many Glacier" expresses the peaceful quiet of that area of the park and is my favorite track on the album. "Cherry Pickin'" brings the album to a close with a bright and lively ode to filling buckets with sweet fruit and having a great time in the process - out in the fresh air in one of the most magnificent places in the world!

Montana Stillwater offers listeners a 37-minute guided tour through Glacier National Park. If you have never been there, you really should go. If you have been there, this music is likely to entice you to make another trip. I sure hope to! The album can be streamed or downloaded on Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes and is also available from many streaming services including Spotify and Pandora. Check it out!