Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Piano All The Time

Just found out about this 24/7 internet radio station featuring all kinds of piano, all the time.  Might drive you nuts if you listen all day, but, hey, at least you've got the option, and they've got a real nice mix of stuff going on.

Click on the link below, then click on the Station Page link, then click the yellow Play button, which will open another window, and will then open your media player (whew!).

http://www.pianoworldradio.com/PianoWorldRadio.html

Welcome to the website of PianoWorldRadio, the webradio
exclusively devoted to selections of great piano music from all genres, performed by the finest world-renowned artists of the past and the present as well as the most promising upcoming stars of tomorrow. You’ll enjoy the best of New Age, Classical, Jazz,, Ambient and much more in recordings featuring solo piano, piano duets, piano and keyboards, piano duo/trio/quartet, piano and big band, piano and orchestra…

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Friday, February 23, 2007

Scott LaFaro and Bill Evans - Musical Soul Mates With a Tragic Ending

What an effect the death of brilliant bassist Scott LaFaro had on Bill Evans - he quit playing publicly for nearly a year.  Who can blame him, if LaFaro was really his musical soul mate, and if Evans was already somewhat unstable?

This interesting article piqued my curiosity about Evans and LaFaro, and I did manage to find a little YouTube music of the two + drummer Paul Motian.  The video is actually meaningless, but the music is awesome, so have a listen, and enjoy the article, too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jw-mCFTEoTE


Forgotten Series: Bill Evans - The Complete Village Vanguard ...
Blogcritics.org, OH - 7 hours ago
If you care anything about bass (rock, jazz, or blues) you will find his recordings with Bill Evans at New York City's Village Vanguard... and you will ...

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Thursday, February 22, 2007

Chick Corea in a Blast-From-The-Past Video

This video appears to be from "Soundstage" in the 70's and features a collection of awesome musicians - Chick Corea, Bunny Brunel, Tom Breckline, Gayle Moran, and Al Jarreau - performing Chick Corea's "Spain."  Wow, these guys were young!  I hope you enjoy the clothes, music, and voices as much as I did.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ipeQ5wXl7A


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Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Playing Outside the Box, If There Ever Was a Box to Begin With

I don't know much about Bela Fleck's work, except that it pushes the envelope.  However, I'm a big fan of Chick Corea, with not nearly as many of his albums as I'd like.  Here's an awesome sample of his acoustic work, courtesy of YouTube.  Watch how he reaches inside the piano while he plays - wild.  I almost feel a connection to him, since his Akoustic Band drummer, Dave Weckl, is a St. Louis guy.  I heard him perform here with Tom and Ray Kennedy (which was AWESOME) years ago.  I met Tom a few months back playing at a local hotel, and he's a friend of my former piano teacher.  Six degrees?  Maybe.

Anyway, this little track will get your blood moving:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NeIj1NwKvA

...and here's more info about Bela and Chick's current tour.  I'm sad to say I don't think I'll be able to make it out to see them, but perhaps you can catch it yourself.  Here are the dates:

http://www.belafleck.com/tourdates.html

...and here's the article that got me on this whole entry in the first place:

Béla Fleck catches up with his musical idol - City Pulse



City Pulse
Béla Fleck catches up with his musical idol
City Pulse, MI - 2 hours ago
“And if you’re going to play with a rhythmic jazz piano player, there’s no better one in the world than Chick.” In December 2006, Fleck and Corea finally ...

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Monday, February 19, 2007

Is Boogie Woogie Really "Jazz"?

Some may argue whether boogie woogie (or Dixieland, for that matter, which is the central music of many local "Jazz" clubs [member organizations, that is...too many nested parens now...]) is actually jazz. Well, I feel like it's just one more piece of the large foundation of jazz music as we know it today, and well worth any musician's respect.

I've only heard Ammons play once on a Smithsonian recording a while ago, I believe, but here's a chance to honor one of the boogie woogie greats - throughout the country this year.

Centennial Celebration for Boogie Woogie Legend Albert Ammons - Jazz Police



Jazz Police
Centennial Celebration for Boogie Woogie Legend Albert Ammons
Jazz Police, MN - 3 hours ago
A leading practitioner of boogie woogie piano, Albert Ammons would have been 100 years old in September 2007. To mark the centennial of this legend of ...

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Two Artists At Their Peak

Man oh man...this will get your blood moving.  I know this is the Jazz Piano blog, but when you toss Ella in the mix, it's just an added treat.  This number swings like nobody's business.  How long did they rehearse this, I wonder?  The sign of a truly great artist is making the near-impossible look unbelievably easy...they hardly look like they're even trying (except for Oscar wiping his brow), which just reinforces the perfection of this performance.

You HAVE to check this one out!


Ella Fitzgerald sings "Stomping at the Savoy", UK 1961

Ella Fitzgerald sings "Stomping at the Savoy", UK 1961 - Oscar Peterson Trio

Author: chico75pi
Keywords: ella fitzgerald john dankworth oscar peterson live jazz savoy
Added: February 16, 2007

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Sunday, February 11, 2007

Jazz Piano Great, Bill Evans - A Great Listener

This is a really interesting article about a journalist who had kind of a "reverse interview" with Bill Evans one night.  It's kind of a personal insight into Bill Evans, the man.  I don't know, something about this article touched me somehow...

On this night, I talked while Bill Evans listened

In my early teens, I had an unusual hobby. Whenever the urge grew strong enough to overcome my basic diffidence, and whenever I didn't think it would show up too badly on my parent's phone bill, I used to make long - distance calls to different jazz musicians I admired.

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Thursday, February 8, 2007

A Magazine You Can Play!

Here's a nice magazine with a little something for all tastes, including music that you can play in each issue.  Granted, there are only 4 issues per year, but it reminds me of the old Keyboard Magazine, or Jazz Pianist, or something like that that I used to subscribe to.

In fact, I just subscribed myself!  Check it out:

http://www.pianotoday.com/

For pianists with an interest in Classical Music and Jazz, our publication is filled with intriguing things to play: great pieces from all eras and styles, jazz arrangements by today's top artists, inside stories, lessons and playing tips, and a whole section just for beginning level. It's a masterpiece of a magazine!

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This Crazy Italian Guy Seems To Be Making A Splash!

I keep seeing Stefano Bollani's name in the news and watched is "Maple Leaf Rag" video that was in a previous article posted.  I must say that I may have to buy his CD.  I wish I could have seen the performance talked about in this NY Times article.  Sounds like he's gonna cause some trouble for the pop and jazz purists by "playing outside the box."


From Italy, a Pianistic Palette With Playful Dashes of Humor

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/08/arts/music/08boll.html?_r=1&ref=music&oref=slogin

American jazz audiences best know Stefano Bollani as the pianist of choice for the trumpeter Enrico Rava, Italy’s most accomplished jazz musician. In Italy Mr. Bollani is considerably more: a novelist, a media personality, almost a comedic brand. His first ECM album as a leader, “Piano Solo,” arrived in the United States this week; when it was released in his own country six months ago, it breached the Top 20 on the pop charts.

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Wednesday, February 7, 2007

Reviving the Classics...Rebuilding a City

Review: Connick's memories inspire `Nola' - Albuquerque Tribune

I'm kind of an on-again-off-again fan of Harry Connick, Jr.  The guy can certainly play a mean piano, but I've always found his vocals to be a bit flat, stylized as they may be.  At any rate, this new album (Oh My Nola) has some tasty treats on it.  You can check out some pretty short clips at Amazon, along with a video of "Yes We Can Can" that supports the New Orleans Habitat Musicians Village.

Here's the Amazon page:

http://www.amazon.com/Oh-Nola-Harry-Connick-Jr/dp/B000I2KNU2/sr=8-1/qid=1170884503/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-8336954-9796850?ie=UTF8&s=music

and here's the link to the Musicians Village page:

http://www.habitat-nola.org/projects/musicians_village.php

Review: Connick's memories inspire `Nola'
Albuquerque Tribune, NM - 2 hours ago
... Connick's often overlooked jazz big band that boasts some scintillating ensemble playing, a powerful rhythm section, Connick's economical piano solos, ...

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If This Doesn't Move You, Check Your Pulse

To say that I love to see and hear Oscar play is an understatement. Words cannot express it - just listen, that's all.

BUT...I also really enjoy listening to him talk. He's obviously careful about what he says and how he says it, and I think his warmth and intelligence are obvious, not only in his playing, but also in his speech.

OK, enough said...just listen to this gem...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqhoV0T9C3M


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Tuesday, February 6, 2007

A Personal (Re-)Discovery of a Smooth, Brazilian Pianist/Singer/Songwriter

I know I've heard this woman play and sing before, but I guess it never stuck in the front of my brain for very long.  She has such a smooth, rich, rhythmic sound.  Might not be your cup of tea, and it's not always mine, but every now and then I like to take a musical vacation, if only for a minute or two.  Eliane's music will certainly do that for you.

From her website bio:

Pianist / singer / songwriter, Eliane Elias is known for her distinctive and immediately recognizable musical style which blends her Brazilian roots, her sensuous, alluring voice with her impressive instrumental jazz, classical and compositional skills. Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Eliane Elias' musical talents began to show at an early age. She started studying piano at age seven and at age twelve was transcribing solos from the great jazz masters. By the time she was fifteen she was teaching piano and improvisation at one of Brazil' s most prestigious schools of music. Her performing career began in Brazil at age seventeen, working with Brazilian singer/songwriter Toquinho and the great poet Vinicius de Moraes who was also Antonio Carlos Jobim's co-writer/lyricist. In 1981 she headed for New York and in 1982 landed a spot in the acclaimed group Steps Ahead...

http://www.elianeelias.com/biography.html

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The Song Sinatra Gave Up On

More about Billy Strayhorn and his wonderful, biographical tune, "Lush Life,' in this article and audio from NPR's Morning Edition.  Strayhorn wrote this piece when he was still a teenager, which is amazing, when you consider the songs longevity, poignancy, and musical compexity.  Was he predicting his own future in the song, or did he feel somehow compelled to live out the "Lush Life" that he was obviously already thinking about when he wrote this?

A nice piece from NPR, with complete audio and accompanying audio performances of "Lush Life" by various artists, including Nat King Cole, Nancy Wilson, Joe Henderson, and Strayhorn himself.


'Lush Life,' a Self-Portrait in Song

Songwriting genius Billy Strayhorn is the subject of a new documentary, as well as a fine companion CD. Both are titled Lush Life, after Strayhorn's enduring composition.


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Speaking of Eubie...Here's an Oldie But Goodie!

Eubie Blake and his Orchestra 1932

VERY dated, but a treat nonetheless.  Man, I love YouTube - all these great old recordings coming back to life again.

Eubie Blake on piano and his band play "Memories Of You" and accompany the fabulous Nina Mae McKinney when she sings "Everything I Got Belongs To You" with lots of Louis Armstrong timing!

Author: harryoakley
Keywords: jazz thirties swing bigband dixieland vocal dance bix
Added: February 6, 2007

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One of LA's Best Kept Secrets - Keep an Eye on This Pianist

Gaea Schell CD Release Celebrations in Los Angeles - Jazz Police

Gaea's vocals are very clean and direct, with a very unique style, and her piano playing is also clean, uncluttered, and technically very smooth, from the small sound samples I heard at CD Baby.  Her voice reminds me a bit of Astrud Gilberto.  Hopefully, her new recording will have a smoother, less harsh piano recording.


Jazz Police
Gaea Schell CD Release Celebrations in Los Angeles
Jazz Police, MN - 1 hour ago
But jazz piano was not Gaea’s first musical direction. Growing up in Alberta, Canada, she started piano at five, but went on to study a variety of ...

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This New Jazz Pianist Might Rock Your World a Little...

Stefano Bollani Piano Solo - PopMatters

Wow. I may have to pick up this recording, just from watching the video that accompanies this article.  It's Stefano Bollani's take on "Maple Leaf Rag," and I must say it's both a little arresting and refreshing at the same time.  I'm not sure what to say about it, or even if I totally like all of it, but this guy definitely has something to say, something unique and worth a listen.


PopMatters
Stefano Bollani Piano Solo
PopMatters, IL - 8 hours ago
Last fall, young Italian jazz pianist Stefano Bollani released his first solo piano record in Europe, calling it Piano Solo. It has now been released here ...

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I Guess 100 Years Was All He Needed

Eubie Blake - Baltimore Sun

When I think of the song, "I'm Just Wild About Harry," I immediately think of a cartoon I once saw, but I just learned it was written by Eubie Blake, an amazing pianist born to former slave parents in 1883 who received the Medal of Freedom from President Reagan in 1981 and was honored by having his name on the Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center in Baltimore.

An amazing man.

Thanks to writer Paul McCardell for reminding us:

Eubie Blake
Baltimore Sun, MD - 4 hours ago
He began playing tunes on a parlor organ at the age of six and soon after was taking piano lessons from a neighbor named Margaret Marshall. ...

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Monday, February 5, 2007

'Things Ain't The Way They Used to Be' ... Right On!

Seems Ramsey Lewis is enjoying what his son refers to as his Third Coming.  This is the second or third article I've seen about him this week.  You gotta admit - whether you like the guy's playing or not...he's had some kind of influence on music.

Check out this nice article by Charles Leroux:

http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2007/2/6/music/20070206092729&sec=music


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Fats Waller - The 'Clown Prince' of Jazz

Here's a brief biographical sketch by Karen Grigsby Bates (NPR) about the great Fats Waller.  He died so young, but left such a legacy, even to this day.

The article also includes some audio clips.


A comic showman who delighted crowds with his playful stage antics, Fats Waller was the beloved "clown prince" of jazz during a golden era of the genre, leading up to World War II.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6156065

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My One And Only Chance to (not) Hear and See the Great Oscar Peterson

Music Review: Oscar Peterson - Perfect Peterson: The Best of the ... - Blogcritics.org

Years ago, I had tickets to see one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time - Oscar Peterson - perform in Cincinnati.  A last-minute illness kept him from performing, and Hubert Laws filled in - not a bad concert, but NOT Oscar.  I should have done more to track down his performances later, but, sadly, I did not.

What a man, teacher, and performer.  The guy is nearly a god to me.

Looks like I'll need to check out this new compilation of some of his work, along with his recently released book.  More info at his website at:

http://www.oscarpeterson.com/

Music Review: Oscar Peterson - Perfect Peterson: The Best of the ...
Blogcritics.org, OH - 3 hours ago
Somewhere on the 88-key continuum between the frenetic intensity of Art Tatum and the artful emotion of Bill Evans lies the perfect jazz pianist. ...

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What I Wouldn't Give to See This...

Celluloid hero - San Diego Union Tribune

Man, I would give my right arm to see this performance/lecture this weekend.  I'm actually going to be in San Fran on business, too!  Say what you might, but I love Williams' music, and I think this benefit in San Diego, CA sounds totally cool.

Oh well...maybe in my next life...



San Diego Union Tribune
Celluloid hero
San Diego Union Tribune, CA - 1 hour ago
... courses in piano and composition at UCLA, classes with Juilliard master teacher Rosina Lhevinne, and work at New York jazz clubs and recording studios. ...

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I'm Psychic - I Swear I Was Just Thinking of Monk Last Night...

Play ‘Monk’ to bring to life jazz legend - U Of L News

Weird.  I was just checking out a video of Monk playing 'Blue Monk' last night. Check it out here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxrXUxhTj80

If you're in the Louisville, KY area this coming weekend, sounds like this performance at the University of Louisville might be worth checking out - the price is right, too!

Play ‘Monk’ to bring to life jazz legend
U Of L News, KY - 1 hour ago
Say the name and those who know his work hear the dissonant harmony of his fingers attacking the piano, his playing punctuated with pauses and stops. ...

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Online Jazz Piano Chords and Scales Tool

Here's a nifty little tool for you intermediate-advanced players: an online chord builder that displays advanced jazz chords on a graphical piano keyboard.

The page also discusses which scales are applicaple for improvisation over specified chords.

Lots more good stuff at this site, too - modes, blues, progressions...enjoy!

http://www.apassion4jazz.net/keys.html

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Sunday, February 4, 2007

Marian McPartland, a Living Jazz Piano Legend - 89 and Going Strong!

I was fortunate enough to hear and meet Marian years ago in the St. Louis area and was blown away.  Such a kind, intelligent, TALENTED, interesting woman who has met and performed with virtually anybody who IS anybody in jazz.  I don't get to hear her NPR show nearly as often as I'd like, but I highly recommend you find it in your area, or check it out on her website - there are a few streaming episodes there now.

Better yet, see her live - still performing regularly!

http://www.npr.org/programs/pianojazz/marian_sked.html

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Ramsey Lewis: Brilliant, Pop "Sellout" or Both?!

A CAREER IN FULL - Chicago Tribune

Here's an interesting article about Ramsey Lewis, whose jazz reputation may have suffered at the hands of his early pop success with "The In Crowd." However, no one can argue that his jazz playing is top notch, and if you haven't seen his PBS show "Legends of Jazz" on the tube or DVD/CD yet, it is a must for any serious fan/student of jazz.


A CAREER IN FULL
Chicago Tribune, IL - 53 minutes ago
This combination of a rock-solid technique and a propulsive ability to swing evokes a long line of jazz-piano gods, from Art Tatum (the greatest of all) to ...
RAMSEY'S RHYTHMS Chicago Tribune
all 2 news articles

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Saturday, February 3, 2007

Jazz Piano Intros, Comping Patterns, and Endings

Here are several very nice jazz piano licks, including an intro, some comping patterns, and a few classic endings. Some great, easy tools to add to your arsenal.

http://www.melbay.com/creativekeyboard/oct04/tricks.html

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Billy Strayhorn Remembered on PBS' Independent Lens Beginning 2/6/2007


My first thought upon seeing this article was that I don't care if the guy was gay, straight, black, white, short, tall, or an alien, he wrote some of the most memorable, interesting, beautiful music of all time.  "Satin Doll," "Take the 'A' Train," "Lush Life," I mean REALLY!

After reading the article about the upcoming PBS program on his life, I began to realize that the discrimination he may have faced (actual and/or perceived) may have helped evoke some of that music.

Definitely worth checking out on "Independent Lens" on PBS Feb. 6


Philadelphia Gay News
Living lushly: Gay jazz great remembered
Philadelphia Gay News, PA - 8 hours ago
An astonishing number of Ellington’s most famous songs — songs that are quintessential jazz and piano bar standards, songs we all know the melodies of even ...

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Kenny Barron - One of jazz piano's true "go-to" players


I'm not very familiar with Kenny Barron's playing, but with such stellar references, it sounds like it's high time I listen to some of his "pictures." Maybe someone else out there is more familiar with his work...?



Bend Weekly
Pop Talk: Barron's goal is to 'paint pictures when I'm playing'
Bend Weekly, OR - 19 hours ago
Kenny Barron is held in such high esteem by some of the legends of jazz that it's surprising this veteran pianist, composer, bandleader and sideman is not ...

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Friday, February 2, 2007

Hello Jazz Piano Enthusiasts

Hello Everyone - I look forward to bringing you all the latest jazz piano news, tips, and information.

Talk to you soon!

Bill