How to Express Oneself?
The pianists show us, in many different ways
My focus on piano last week was healing for my heart. (And CALENDAR below!!!)
Unfortunately, I missed Monday with pianist Leo Genovese (making up for it by a conversation with him today that I will air on the podcast later this week, yay!!) but was consoled by my visit Tuesday to Carnegie Hall to see Mitsuko Uchida play alongside Jonathan Biss. As I ascended the many stairs to my seat in the balcony, my breath and legs heavy, I thought how I should have sprung for better seats, and that the old bod won’t be able to make it up that high pretty soon. Ha. Truly, that is what I thought, but I also thought how amazing it was that so many hundreds of us were excitedly climbing up to our seats to marvel at these amazing musicians, to feel into the notes that their fingers played out expertly on the keys in this grand historic venue.
It is a rare sight to see two pianists at one piano, and as Mitsuko started on the lower octaves, Jonathan supported her on the higher ones. The second half, they switched. In both cases there was a profound dialogue at play, one that a single person often aims to have with two hands, but with four hands…there was a whole beautiful conversation happening, one I took in mostly with my eyes closed. As the pic I snapped surreptitiously at the end shows, my vantage point to see the musicians was poor. But hearing was what I was there to do, and the cavernous room allowed for the sound to reach all the way up, wafting over me as I listened intently to the epically lyrical pieces of music that Schubert created for four hands. As Jonathan says in the Playbill of these rarely-played works, “It would be difficult to oversate the richness of this music, or the extent to which it rewards an immersion in it.” Agreed.
On Thursday, I took in more rarely-played piano music with a visit to NYU’s French-American cultural center, Le Maisone Francaise, on a beautiful little cobblestone block called the Washington Mews. French pianist Maxime Zecchini played a program of pieces from all five continents that were composed for only the left hand. “At its best, [left hand only] can make the piano sound like a full orchestra, by using the positioning of its fingers, its natural flexibility and its powerful range in the keyboard’s low notes,” Maxime said. It was truly amazing to hear how full the sound could be as his fingers deftly moved across the piano, questioning and answering one another with a surprising alacrity.
It was funny that when I arrived Friday at The Jazz Gallery, feeling as if I’d cheated a bit by picking Lage Lund’s guitar-led band largely because of my desire to see drummer Johnathan Blake, the set started with a beautiful solo by pianist Lex Korten. Matt Brewer did a beautiful job rounding out the sound on bass. Lage was fantastic, more and more complex as the evening wore on, and the group was super kinetic and cool.
Same happened during the album release show I took in on Sunday of the amazing jazz singer Lizz Wright at City Winery. I went because my bassist friend Ben Zwerin had raved about Lizz, who he has toured with for years and I’ve somehow always missed. The set to debut her new “Shadow” album likewise began with a beautiful vibrant opening by Lizz’s longtime pianist, Atlanta-based Columbus, Ohio native Kenny Banks, Sr.—super great—and closed with a beautiful ballad where both he and Lizz played on separate pianos, and Lizz sang out in her outstanding resonant vocals. Ben on Bass, deep and beautiful as always, the great Adam Levy (Norah Jones’ longtime guitarist) on guitar, and music producer Jack Deboe on drums. Beautiful beautiful end to a beautiful week of music. As much as other instruments move me, the piano is the instrument I’ve played since childhood, the one I turn to in moments where words don’t work, the one that pulls very hard at my heartstrings.
Monday, April 15
Tropical Vortex Presents: Milagro Verde & Guests
Barbes
9 PM -11:55 PM
This long-running series showcases all manner of tropical styles from “Latinolandia” with live band and DJs. Tonight, Milagro Verde plays Psychedelic cumbia and chicha inspired by the classic sound of Los Mirlos and other 70’s bands from the Peruvian Amazon. Also featuring resident DJs Adrian is Hungry and Sonido Chichadelico and special guests TBA.
Tuesday, April 16
House Band w/ Bruce Barth, Ugonna Okegwo and Diego Voglino + Jam
Bar Bayeux
8 PM-11 PM
I’m just going to recommend going to Bar Bayeux every Tuesday for the jam session drummer Diego Voglino leads, at least until the taste of Diego’s delicious FREE brownies leaves my mouth and mind…Bring your voice or instrument to play along after Diego hits it with pianist Bruce Barth and bassist Ugonna Okegwo. Someday I’ll go up there with something:)) This is NYC so everyone is pretty impressive, but also nice and supportive.
Wednesday, April 17
MOCH featuring Ingrid Laubrock & Keisuke Matsuno
Jazz Gallery
Sets at 7:30 PM + 9:30 PM
The duo MOCH featuring rising star vibraphonist, marimbist, improviser and composer Patricia Brennan and percussionist, drummer and turntablist (is that a word?!) Noel Brennan will be joined on stage by German tenor saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock and Keisuke Matsuno on guitar. Sounds extraordinary…
Thursday, April 18
Sacred Bloom Sound Bath
Home of Steph Thompson
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
RSVP: sacredbloomtribe.com
Join me for a relaxing restorative sound bath at my place. You deserve an hour to lie still and let the sounds of my bells, bowls, chimes and various indigenous drums do the work of redirecting you from any extraneous worrying thoughts just inward to your own spirit, to your best most joyous self:) And I’ll also serve you delicious spritzers and snacks!! Come!!
AFTERWARD:
Saha Gnawa
Bar LunAtico
Sets at 9 PM + 10:15 PM
Morroccan Gnawa master musician Maalem Hassan Benjaafar and drummer Daniel Freedman join forces along with guitarists Gilad Hekselman and Guilherme Monteiro, and percussionists Amino Belyamani and David Lizmi. This is music that fills my heart. I followed the Maalem around for years, and love this new iteration of his beautiful spiritual trance music.
Friday, April 19
Popebama
Sō Laboratories, Brooklyn
7:30 PM
Popebama is the New York-based experimental duo of sax player Erin Rogers and percussionist Dennis Sullivan. The duo uses text, electronics and “high-energy instrumental writing” to create an unconventional fresh twist on Rogers and Sullivans tunes. At the casual and intimate venue of the former Brooklyn Bound music series, now renamed Sō Laboratory, at 20 Grand Ave. #205 in Brooklyn’s Navy Yard. Cool group who offers up a broad range of musicians and thinkers. Sounds awesome.
Saturday, April 20 & Sunday, April 21
Trion
Brvsh Cul7ur3 in Teaneck, NJ on Saturday Sets at 7 PM, 8 PM + 9:30 PM
South Street Jazz, Peekskill, NY on Sunday 7 PM - 8:30 PM
Johnathan Blake’s command as a leader is as masterful as his drumming. This iteration of his trio, Trion, features Donny McCaslin on sax and Dezron Douglas on bass. These three players are all incredibly dedicated, talented and SUPER FUN TO WATCH!! Make it to Teaneck or Peekskill!!
I’ll keep you posted as to what else might be up this weekend…but these guys are worth travelling for:))
Have a wonderful harmonious week!!
XX
Steph