Just released. Allen Toussaint dubbed the late Professor Longhair the “Bach of Rock.” In an illuminating 2013 interview with Sound Opinions about Fess’ influence on his music — and New Orleans music — Toussaint said, “I say he is our Bach of Rock in New Orleans because he had inventions,” and demonstrated how Fess’ piano…
Today marks the birth of the keyboard genius, James Booker. Check out the Booker documentary to learn more about the amazing character that was Booker. Cheryl Anne GraceJames Bookernew orleanspaintingpiano
Dedicated to my American chums from the very excellent Last Man Standing album. boogie woogieJerry Lee Lewislast man standingLouisianapianorock ‘n rolltoby keith
Gone. Dr. Johndr. john’s gumboKeith Speramac Rebennackmusicnew orleanspiano
Trailer for Stéphanie’s documentary (Martha’s youngest): an insider’s take of her mum entitled Bloody Daughter. bloody daughterchopinClassical musicMartha ArgerichpianoStéphanie Argerich
Check out WWOZ’s A Closer Walk website. Whatever your preferred style of piano music, if you don’t know who Booker is, you really should delve into this amazing talent and one-off character. Bayou Maharajah: The Tragic Genius of James BookerJames Bookermusicnew orleanspianoWWOZ
Martha Argerich’s intimate relationship with Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor began when she was 10 when she performed the concerto in its entirety at Buenos Aires’s Theatre Colón with Washington Castro conducting Orquestra Sinfonica de la Ciudat de Buenos Aires. Martha ArgerichpianoSchumann
While Santa put a Fats Domino record on the phonograph, Angelo, sniffling and looking a little confused, sat down on the kitchen chair across from Mrs. Reilly and Mr. Robichaux. boogie woogieConfederacy of DuncesFats Dominonew orleanspiano
I had the pleasure of seeing maestros Mike Garson and Earl Slick in a relatively intimate hall (less than a thousand capacity) from two yards away. What a treat to see up close the skill of the original musicians of two of the most challenging and memorable of instrumental pieces. Needless to say, one of…
Argerich in her prime playing Schumann’s Piano Concerto, Ravel’s Jeux d’Eau, and Liszt’s Les Funerailles. Franz-Paul Decker conducts the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Symphony (July 31, 1977). Classical musicLisztMartha ArgerichpianoRavelSchumann
