HAMPTON BAYS, NY — When hometown favorite Christiaan Padavan auditioned for”American Idol” in 2019, family and friends on the East End cheered him on at viewing parties and on social media, proud to see the Hampton Bays High School graduate soaring toward a dream.
Although he was ultimately sent home after Hollywood week, Padavan has continued to pursue music and now, has released a new record celebrating the deep and abiding love he has for his grandparents.
Padavan has just released a new record titled, “CP EP : Songs For My Grandparents”.
“Yesterday was the one-year anniversary of my grandfather, Louis Padavan, passing away,” he said last week. “Dedicated to him and my remaining grandparents, I had always meant to get a recording together of classic songs from Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, etc. Each track has a special meaning to the relationships I’ve had with each of my grandparents. And I’m proud to announce that it is out in the world to listen to.”
“CP EP : Songs for my Grandparents” is comprised of American Jazz standards from the greats, he said. “The recent passing of my grandfather last summer made me realize there was no better time than now to get it recorded and out.”
Padavan said he was thankful to have worked with New York City based musical director, pianist, and arranger Tedd Firth on the project, which was recorded live at Cove City Sound Studios by John Arbuckle.
The album is a heartfelt tribute to the forever bonds of family. “The message I’m hoping to convey to my grandparents is how much my relationship with each of them means to me and that, like the music on the record, our love is timeless,” he said.
Up until last year, Padavan said he was blessed to have both sets of grandparents.
“My mother’s parents are dubbed ‘Grandma and Grandpa’ and my father’s parents as ‘Nana and Papa’. My grandpa on my mom’s side was apparently quite the singer when he was younger, playing alongside my great-grandmother, who was also apparently quite the pianist,” he said. “I definitely got some musicality in me from that side.”
His grandfather met his grandmother back in the mid 1950s and they made their way out to Hampton Bays “way back when,” he said. “The house I grew up in, and currently reside in, was theirs from all those years ago. My other set of grandparents were based in Remsenburg. My grandfather, Louis Padavan, had taught in Westhampton Beach for generations. He touched many local East End lives, and I’m proud whenever I’m asked still to this day if I’m related. Some of my happiest memories with my grandparents are simple ones. Being together for a family barbecue tops the list.”
Padavan reflected on his life since “Idol.”
“I have been beyond blessed with love and support since my ‘American Idol’ audition back in 2019. Since then, I have continued to perform across the New York/Long Island area for corporate events, local venues, restaurants and more. I’ve continued to put out original music, and will continue to do so.”
Recently, he was honored with a “Best Local Musician on the South Fork” win in the Dan’s Papers 2023 “Best of the Best” competition, he said.
Padavan is also employed full-time for Long Island Radio Broadcasting in Water Mill as a production director.
“I love what I do, and I can’t wait to see where my passion for music, entertainment, and the arts brings me next,” he said.
His grandparents, he said, have always been his greatest fans.
“My grandparents have always been supportive of me and my dreams. I always love to hear their stories of how they knew I was meant for music and performance since before I could speak. Without the driving love and energy from my family, I would’ve never accomplished what I have in my young life,” he said.
Padavan said, if he could speak to his grandfather one more time, “I’d tell my Papa that I wanted to get this music out for him and my other grandparents because ‘time just goes too damn fast and there’s no better time than right now.'”
Looking ahead, Padavan said his musical goals include playing a part in writing and producing a hit song.
“I want to be a part of something bigger than myself. If I can add my musical strengths to a bigger equation? Count me in,” he said.
The link to Padavan’s EP can be found here.
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