LI Singer releases record for his grandparents: Our love is timeless

HAMPTON BAYS, NY – When local hero 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 his dream.

Although he was ultimately sent home after Hollywood Week, Padavan continued to pursue music and has now released a new record celebrating the deep and abiding love he feels for his grandparents.

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Padavan has just released a new record called “CP EP: Songs For My Grandparents”.

“Yesterday was the first anniversary of the death of my grandfather, Louis Padavan,” he said last week. “Dedicated to him and my remaining grandparents, I have always wanted to put together a recording of classic songs by Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, etc. Each track has a special meaning to the relationships I had with each of my grandparents. And I am proud to announce that it is now out there for the world to hear.”

“CP EP: Songs for my Grandparents” consists of American jazz standards from the greats, he said. “After my grandfather died last summer, I realized there was no better time than now to record and release the album.”

Padavan said he was grateful to have collaborated with New York City-based music director, pianist and arranger Tedd Firth on the project, which was recorded live by John Arbuckle at Cove City Sound Studios.

The album is a heartfelt tribute to the eternal bonds of family. “The message I want to convey to my grandparents is how much my relationship with each of them means to me and that our love, like the music on the record, is timeless,” he said.

Until last year, Padavan said, he was fortunate to have both sets of grandparents.

“My mom’s parents are called ‘Grandma and Grandpa’ and my dad’s parents are called ‘Nana and Papa.’ My grandpa on my mother’s side was apparently a pretty good singer when he was younger and played alongside my great-grandmother, who was apparently a pretty good pianist too,” he said. “I definitely have some musicality in me from that side.”

His grandfather met his grandmother in the mid-1950s and they made their way to Hampton Bays “a long time ago,” he said. “The house I grew up in and currently live in was theirs from all those years ago. My other grandparents lived in Remsenburg. My grandfather, Louis Padavan, taught in Westhampton Beach for generations. He left his mark on many people in the East End and I am proud to this day when I am asked if I am related to him. Some of my fondest memories of my grandparents are simple ones. At the top of the list is family barbecues.”

Padavan reflected on his life since “Idol.”

“Since auditioning for ‘American Idol’ in 2019, I have been beyond grateful for the love and support. Since then, I have continued to perform throughout the greater New York/Long Island area at corporate events, local venues, restaurants, and more. I have continued to release my own music and will continue to do so.”

He was recently honored with the “Best Local Musician on the South Fork” award in Dan’s Papers 2023 “Best of the Best” competition, he said.

Padavan is also employed full-time as production manager for Long Island Radio Broadcasting in Water Mill.

“I love what I do and I can’t wait to see where my passion for music, entertainment and the arts takes me next,” he said.

His grandparents, he said, were always his biggest fans.

“My grandparents have always supported me and my dreams. I always love listening to their stories about how they knew I was destined for music and performing before I could talk. Without the driving love and energy of my family, I would never have achieved what I have achieved in my young life,” he said.

Padavan said if he could talk to his grandfather again, “I would tell my dad that I want to put this music out for him and my other grandparents because ‘time just goes by too fast and there’s no better time than now.'”

Looking ahead, Padavan said his musical goals include helping to write and produce a hit song.

“I want to be part of something bigger than myself. If I can bring my musical strengths into a bigger equation? Then I’m in,” he said.

The link to Padavan’s EP can be found here.