Born in Hollywood, California, Brian Crain took up piano at ten but abandoned it for baseball before teaching himself to play by ear in his twenties. His first album, Morning Light (1997), launched a career spanning more than 20 albums of new-age and new-classical piano over 25 years. His piece “Butterfly Waltz,” used in a South Korean television drama, made him considerably better known in Asia than in his native United States. Later albums, including Piano and Light (2009) and Piano Opus (2011), experimented with unusual meters and minimalism.

Mood and energy: Mellifluous, emotional, gentle. Recommended uses: Reflection, sleep, massage.

Sacred Ground Confidence Score: 5 out of 5 stars   Final recommendation: Approved.

Why this artist belongs in Sacred Sounds: A long-established, internationally recognized relaxation-piano composer whose catalog has been a wellness-industry staple for decades.