Thursday, March 20, 2014

Some solo shows coming up!

I'm excited to be doing some solo piano shows next week:

Tuesday March 25th at IBeam at 9:30pm, Greg Chudzik plays a solo electric bass set at 8:30pm.

Sunday March 30th at Centerport Methodist Church at 3pm in Centerport, NY.

I'll be playing some classical repertoire in my set for the first time, as well as some new original music and a few standards. I've been working on Schumann's Kinderszenen on and off for about a year, and I feel like I've developed a real emotional connection to this collection of pieces. Kinderszenen, or "Scenes From Childhood" consists of thirteen short pieces depicting an adult's reminiscence of childhood, each with a descriptive title. Schumann added the titles after the pieces were completed describing them as "nothing more than delicate hints for execution and interpretation".

My pianist heroes for this work are Martha Argerich and Vladimir Horowitz, and also the immortal Alfred Cortot, who brings out the strangest and most unexpected nuances in the music. Here is Cortot giving a masterclass on the profound final piece in the cycle, "The Poet Speaks". The best piano lesson ever.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

5049 Records Podcast

Over the past few weeks I've been listening to musician interviews on Jeremiah Cymerman's 5049 Records website. They are informative, inspiring, and very entertaining. Jeremiah talks to his guests about their personal histories, creative processes, and also the difficulties and frustrations involved with being an improvising musician in the 21st century, especially in New York. So far I've listened to Ellery Eskelin, Nate Wooley, Jessica Pavone, Matt Bauder, Ted Reichman, Mary Halvorson, and I can't wait to hear the Jim Black interview that he just posted! Check this stuff out. And check out Jeremiah's music, too.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Old Time Musketry performs at Spectrum tonight!

Looking forward to playing tonight with Old Time Musketry at Flin van Hemmen's Canyons concert series at Spectrum in the lower east side.

At 9:30 will be Shirts & Skins

Kenny Warren, trumpet
Will McEvoy, bass
Flin van Hemmen, drums
Patrick Breiner, Tenor saxophone & clarinet


10:30, Old Time Musketry

Adam Schneit, Saxophone & clarinet
JP Schlegelmilch, piano & accordion
Phil Rowan, bass
Max Goldman, drums


Should be a great night! Looking forward to playing the amazing Steinway D they have there.