The Ultimate Piano Guy, over 75 years!

Subject: The Ultimate Piano Guy, over 75 years!
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 07 Mar 03 - 12:19 PM

This thread comes from Peter T's reminding us of just how many years Artur Rubenstein delighted audiences.

Longevity

Damn it I feel soooo fortunate to have been able to see the great man TWICE...once at "Her Majesty's Theatre" in Montreal (there ain't nuthin' with a 'royal' designation in Quebec, these days, so you KNOW that was a long time ago)

...and once again at Massey Hall in Toronto, where I got to sit on the stage! Of course he played a lot of Chopin, and he was soo old and tiny by then, you could hardly even see him....but WHAT a memory! Boy do I thank my mother for turning me on to Rubenstein, Horowitz, Kurzon, and even Oscar Levant!

For what it's worth, I also got to see Earl Hines, Vladimir Horowitz, Otis Spann, and John Arpin (a younger Toronto ragtime virtuoso) but never:

Dave brubeck,
Monk
Mose Allison (damn)
Anton Kuerti (even tho' he lives in Canada
Art Tatum
Bill Evans
Teddy Wilson
Oscar Peterson (for shame! He LIVES in Toronto!)

Me? I can play four note chords badly in all keys....but I LOVE good piano pickin'.

Any thoughts, experiences?

Rick
Rick, I assume that this is what you wanted. If you wanted to preserve the other thread, let us know.
Pfc. Mud Elf Green

---

Moved back from the other thread. Rick just wanted his clicky fixed. You're demoted to 2Lt, Greenie --JoeClone

Subject: RE: The Ultimate Piano Guy, over 75 years!
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 07 Mar 03 - 12:21 PM

Bugger! Can somewhat hook this up with the "Who leads the league in Longevity" thread? Thanks.

Rick

Subject: RE: The Ultimate Piano Guy, over 75 years!
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 08 Mar 03 - 03:48 PM

Oh goodie, it's back. Ignore second post...I was confused.

Thanks.

Rick

Subject: RE: The Ultimate Piano Guy, over 75 years!
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 08 Mar 03 - 07:26 PM

Never did see Arthur Rubinstein, but I did get the chance to lean on the piano while Memphis Slim played, ditto Champion Jack Dupree..

I wish I could have seen Professor Longhair play ...

Murray

Subject: RE: The Ultimate Piano Guy, over 75 years!
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 09 Mar 03 - 10:58 AM

Wow, Murray. I never got to see either of them although they both played Toronto. Someone I DID manage to see (at the Colonial Tavern) was Willie "the Lion" Smith. Very old and probably not well. How I wish that I REALLY understood the significance of these musicians then, but I was just a punk 19 year old, and needed a few years seasoning.

Rick

Subject: RE: The Ultimate Piano Guy, over 75 years!
From: GUEST,Gern
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 10:42 AM

Your list includes some of my favorites: Tatum, Hines and Spann. Haven't I heard that Ol Man Mose is still playing? I was also a particular fan of Al Stricklin (sp?), that stomping pinao fighter on the oldest and best Bob Wills recordings.

Subject: RE: The Ultimate Piano Guy, over 75 years!
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 10:46 AM

Ahhhhhh Hahhhhhhhh! Brother Al!

Play it, Brother Al!

Subject: RE: The Ultimate Piano Guy, over 75 years!
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 07:39 PM

I have a theory that you can't really play ragtime guitar properly unless you are competent at ragtime piano as well.

Leastways that's MY excuse.

Willie (the Lion) Smith was undoubtedly the guv'nor of stride piano. Amazing stuff ....

Murray

Subject: RE: The Ultimate Piano Guy, over 75 years!
From: Mark Clark
Date: 10 Mar 03 - 11:25 PM

Any list of “ultimate piano guys over 75” really should include Marian McPartland, don't you think?

      - Mark

Subject: RE: The Ultimate Piano Guy, over 75 years!
From: Rolfyboy6
Date: 11 Mar 03 - 08:37 AM

Add Pinetop Perkins, still alive and playing and having a good time. He must be around 89 or 90 now. He does little tours of warmer places during the winter. Last time I saw him he had a smile and a beer and was talking to a pretty girl.

Subject: RE: The Ultimate Piano Guy, over 75 years!
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Mar 03 - 10:56 PM

Maybe worth mentioning Franz Mohr, the famed Steinway concert technician, he was born in 1927 and was the technician of choice of Horowitz. Also worked with Rubinstein and many, many more....To me, he's the ultimate piano guy and a wonderful man...great company...
It's Steinways 150 th anniversary this month...
They virtually invented the concert piano (around 9') and their technical developments have enabled top pianists to extract the most sublime sounds from their instruments...well done Steinways....and all their dedicated craftsmen and women...
Pete Sumner