Sydney 2009...

Touring internationally since 2008, "Play Me, I'm Yours" is an artwork by artist Luke Jerram.

From 21st June - 5th July, 60 upright pianos will be distributed across New York City by Sing for Hope. Located in public parks, streets and plazas the pianos will be available for any member of the public to play and engage with. This website is made for you to post and share your films, photos and stories about the pianos. While documenting each piano's journey, the website will connect the pianos with their individual communities across the city. Following the artwork, the pianos will be donated to local schools and community groups.

Locations for the pianos, which include the Coney Island boardwalk, McCarren Park, Prospect Park, Central Park, Bryant Park, Times Square, South Street Seaport, the Staten Island Zoo and many other places, are listed at the website and below...

Continue reading "pianos being set up in public places (for two weeks) "

by Andrew Frisicano

William Parker Quartet

New York Guitar Festival, with shows between January 8th and February 4th, has already been mentioned here in a few different contexts. The "Silent Film/Live Guitars" portion is certainly a big highlight, with one-off performances by Bon Iver's Justin Vernon and Steve Kimock, David Bromberg and Marc Ribot, Alex de Grassi and James Blackshaw, and the fest closers Chicha Libre and Gyan Riley. Tickets are still available for all but the Vernon/Kimock show.

There's more on the schedule too. World Financial Center Winter Garden hosts a free opening show on Friday, January 8th with Hindustani slide guitarist Debashish Bhattacharya. There are also theme nights, with Barbes holding Django [Reinhardt] A Go Go (1/24) and 92nd Street Y hosting a Bach Guitar Marathon (1/31).

And LPR has two shows for the fest as well - a night headlined by James Blackshaw (with Max Ochs, Ben Hall, and Nick Jonah Davis too) on January 26th (tickets) and a previously mentioned show with the stellar pairing of Marc Ribot's Ceramic Dog and Skeleton$ (possibly in Big Band form). A video of the Skeletons Big band from their December show at the Stone is below. Tickets for Marc Ribot/Skeletons show are on sale.

(Le) Poisson Rouge is also one of the main spots for the NYC Winter Jazz Festival this Friday and Saturday, when it hosts Jenny Scheinman & Jason Moran, Vijay Iyer Trio, Darcy James Argue's Secret Society and others. Other Village venues are well-stocked with talent too (and getting better - Saturday's Sullivan Hall lineup just added William Parker Quartet). Tickets to day one and two (or a two-day pass to both) are still on sale.

Iyer is also at the Stone this weekend, on Sunday (1/10), as is Tyshawn Sorey, who plays there Friday (1/8) (and plays the Winter Jazz Fest on Saturday).

While on the topic of Iyer, a few other excellent, top-of-their-game, consistently original pianists have shows in the same week (could be called the 'inadvertent piano fest'). McCoy Tyner Trio with special guest Gary Bartz are at Highline Ballroom on Friday, January 8th on a latin-tinged bill with Francisco Mela's Cuban Safari, Jon Batiste Band and Alfredo Rodriguez. Tickets are still on sale.

Ethan Iverson of the Bad Plus has a show at LPR, where he'll open with a solo "cocktail" piano set, with The Respect Sextet on Tuesday, January 12th. Tickets are on sale.

Pianist Brad Mehldau, whose new Jon Brion-produced album is due February 23rd, plays two solo sets at Highline Ballroom on January 14th, as a benefit for JazzReach. Tickets are on sale.

The full schedule for the NY Guitar Fest and videos are below...

Continue reading "NY Guitar Fest, Winter Jazz Fest & a bunch of great piano shows kick off Friday - updated schedules, venues & dates"

by Andrew Frisicano (who went to this show after Yo La Tengo @ Roseland)

Thanks to all who supported me and @Andrewwk in the immortal piano showdown last night...We're all winners! -chillygonzales

Gonzales's midnight set at Joe's Pub on Friday (9/25), the second of two that night, was packed. Before the show, the small club had a line that stretched down the block, which meant most of the floor space between the limited seating was filled with people either sitting or standing. Gonzales (pianist, Feist producer, and world record holder for longest solo-artist performance) started out with a solo "piano talk" set of equal parts jokes and songs. He read a fictional, satirical preview for his own show, explained the difference between major and minor chords (the former inspire false optimism and pacify the working class) and played some of his "hits" (his word) like "Slow Down" and "Take Me to Broadway."

Throughout, Gonzales sported a pair of white cotton gloves (kind of like Mickey Mouse) that were relayed from an overhead camera onto a screen. As billed, Jamie Lidell came out to sing, though he did just one song, "What Is It This Time?" Then it was time for the piano battle arranged and judged by Akira the Don, some kind of rapper/British personality. Andrew W.K. went first (he won a coin toss) and the pair exchanged lengthy improvisations that fluttered from Romantic ballads to stride piano licks to light rock covers. Andrew W.K. nearly lifted the piano off the group, Gonzales played with a blindfold over his eyes. Both responded quite well to the musical barbs of the other. Ultimately, Gonzales was declared the winner (though the crowd seemed to suggest otherwise). Videos of Jamie Lidell's song and the piano battle are posted below.

Andrew W.K.'s tour with the Calder Quartet begins today. They play Joe's Pub on October 2nd (it sometimes helps to make a table reservation - and show up early - to get a seat at the venue).

More pictures and videos are below...

Continue reading "Gonzales battled Andrew W.K. (whose tour starts today) @ Joe's Pub (Jamie Lidell was there) - pics & video"

The Highline Piano series continues at Highline Ballroom this week with one change: They have moved the Tuesday, August 25th show with Cecil Taylor to Monday, August 31st. Tickets for the show on the 25th are still valid for the 31st, or you can get a refund. Have you seen any of the shows yet? Taylor set times and a set of live videos are below...

Continue reading "Highline Pianos Series continues, Cecil Taylor date change"

by Andrew Frisicano

Cecil Taylor & McCoy Tyner...

Born Dec. 11, 1938, [McCoy] Tyner made his name as a member of the legendary John Coltrane Quartet in the 1960s. Since then, he has brought his distinctive playing style, and his compositions, to dozens of records on which he leads his own bands.

[What's his secret?]

Tyner says the secret is simple: Drink carrot juice.

"Well, I like carrot juice," he says. "I have a juice machine at home that helps. Carrot juice is real good for you. Carrot and celery. Don't forget celery." [NPR]

You can buy him a glass at the Highline Ballroom on Sunday, August 23rd, where he'll perform as part of the venue's Piano Series, an 11-night lineup of piano-driven acts that runs from August 17th through August 28th.

We previously reported that Tyner's Lincoln Center shows in May would be his last NYC gigs for a while, and though according to his website that's still true, Tyner will bring his Trio (bassist Gerald Cannon and drummer Eric Kamau Gravatt plus guest saxist Gary Bartz) to the Highline for one two-set night.

Another Hall-of-Fame level jazz great, Cecil Taylor, will play as part of the series too. He'll perform solo on Tuesday, August 25th (two sets also).

The series mixes those legends with a slew of younger but equally impressive acts like the The Bad Plus, Matthew Shipp, and the Benevento/Russo Duo, who are all playing the series.

Tickets to all the shows are on sale now.

The Piano Series' full schedule, which includes non-jazz pianists too, is posted below...

Continue reading "Highline Ballroom Piano Series - 11 shows @ the NYC venue"