Ciao!
I play classical, forties standards, some jazz, some boogie, and so on. Please be aware of the following: I do not sing. I used to sing, but a frog got into my throat and never left. However, once in awhile, I get carried away, when I'm so into the music and forgetting that I don't sing anymore, start singing along. No one has said anything so far. Either they are deaf or don't mind.
Not everyone can say this...but I can. It's not that I'm bragging, but I am!! In the spring of 2008 I was playing classical music professionally at a grand piano in a Clearwater, Florida hotel. Much to my surprise and delight, Chick Corea, the grammy winning jazz composer, came running up to me, and embracing my waist with his famous hands said: "You're smokin', you're really smokin'"! He just about lifted me off the piano bench. Mario Feininger, a well known European classical concert pianist recently told me that I played from "knowingness." When I was younger I was a folk singer with acoustic guitar, and I took lessons from Jerry Garcia of the "Grateful Dead" an "instant" before he became famous.

Please mail me at jerrye.albert@rocketmail.com to engage me for your event. I am located in Clearwater, Florida close to Tampa.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Oh wow!  The Clearwater Jazz Festival this year (2013) had some amazing musicians: Chicago, Average White Band, Tower of Power...etc.  Tonight was the last night, and it was wonderful...Brandi Carlile and her band performed...she sang a mix of folk songs, rock, original compositions, etc.  I'd never heard of her before and I was so wonderfully entertained by her.  What a GREAT artist she is.  This was really a GREAT festival and I thank the city of Clearwater for presenting it for us, in Coachman Park, overlooking the still glassy like waters and docks. 

I found Brandi really inspirational, and her mix of music is GREAT! 

Have mastered "Take Five" by Paul Desmond and Dave Brubeck.  Am now working on "The In Crowd" by Ramsey Lewis...another tune from my younger years. Great rhythm. Remarkable piece.  Will also learn Chick Corea's Spain...!  And then on and on and on! 

Also considering returning to my roots.  Although I began playing piano on a cardboard keyboard, and learned classical, until my parents could buy a piano...beginning like this really helped me develop my imagination.  Try it sometime.  It's fun!  As a young adult I took up the guitar and was a folksinger, and played around the peninsula south of San Francisco.  One year, at the Palo Alto United Nations Day event put on by the city of Palo Alto, after my performance a few teenagers asked me for my autograph,..calling me ."Miss Baez.,"  They thought I was Joan Baez.  That was when I had a high voice, as did she.  Quite a compliment, and I never forgot it. 

Any of you have any favorite folk music tunes?  If so, please let me know.  Considering singing again, only this time with a piano.  Send me the names of folk music songs that you love...please!

Love to hear from you.  Best, Jerrye
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