Two concert grand pianos. Two unique performances. 11 pianists. 32 years.
On Saturday, Jan. 25 and Sunday, the 26th, the 32nd annual Professional Pianist Concert will grace the Mendocino College Center Theatre stage, performing two concerts in support of local music programs.
This year’s sponsors are Fowler Auto Center, AC&R Heating and Cooling Service Inc./Solar Systems, Sparetime Supply Distribution, and Savings Bank of Mendocino. KOZT, K-WINE/MAX, The Coast and The Ukiah Daily Journal are media partners. Refreshments will be provided by the Ukiah Community Concert Association.
As always, the performers represent a sampling of the finest pianists in the area and will be playing a wide variety of musical genres. According to event “piano wrangler” and performer Spencer Brewer, who will be performing a mix of contemporary classical and original compositions, the sellout event is a memory-maker for audiences of all ages.
“Between each year’s concerts, I have an opportunity to work on a lot of pianos. Quite a few people bring up this concert, asking me when it is and who’s playing. But more significantly, they tell me what the concerts have meant to their families – who they brought to the concerts, the specialness and the uniqueness of the performances,” he explains.
In addition to the stellar performances, it is the novel staging and interplay between the pianists that attracts the sellout crowds to the shows. The stage is set in a “living room” format, complete with a comfy sofa, potted plants and other décor. There is no set program. Pianists come to the event with an idea of what they might play, but the repartee between the musicians and the occasional call from the audience for a particular number might inspire the players to change their performances at the last minute, providing an air of spontaneity and magic to every show.
“This is one of the reasons we don’t announce what we are playing,” smiles Brewer, who, using the vernacular of the day, describes the concerts as a “sound bath.”
The first show took place in 1992 at the college’s Little Theatre.
“We started with about 100 people in the audience. Then, the next year, we had about 150,” says Brewer. The shows have grown in both the number of pianists and the number of attendees. “Our Sunday ‘I Wanna See the Hands’ seating is almost sold out,” he continues.
Brewer is always scouting for new additions to the lineup. This year he recruited Carolina Calvache, a renowned Pan-American jazz composer, educator, performer and award-winning recording artist.
“Gabriella Frank started an amazing music program in Boonville, where she has recruited amazing players to come to Anderson Valley High School. She got Carolina to come for a year. Her last album was a collaboration with Ruben Blades. We are very excited to have a new, young player join us.”
Also returning to the stage is legendary “outrageous” jazz pianist Barney McClure, who has spent his life performing, composing and having his music appear in film and albums. He found sympathetic audiences around the world, particularly in Japan, Australia and Germany, and has performed with countless jazz titans including Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, Herb Ellis, Big Joe Turner, Larry Coryell, Joe Pass, Sonny Stitt, Milt Jackson and Billy Higgins.
One thing is clear: this group enjoys each other’s company.
Classical, Cuban Classical and Jazz pianist Elena Casanova says the show is always a great start to the new year. Casanova has performed with Grammy nominee Alex de Grassi and Grammy Award winner Paul McCandless, as well as performing as a soloist with orchestras throughout Northern California. When living in Ukiah, Casanova was an active member of the Ukiah Community Concert Association.
“Considering that throughout the year, we all perform separately and in different ensembles, this is a real treat. It’s such a highlight having everyone together, every year. We’re blown away at how much fun we have, and how exciting and awesome the performances are. Every year we leave the stage saying, ‘This was the best performance,’” Casanova says.
Tom Ganoung creates original music as well as performing rock, and classical music.
“This show has a variety of musicians and musicianship that is unmatched.”
The concerts benefit the Ukiah Community Concert Association, Mendocino College Recording Arts Club and the Allegro Scholarship Program, which Ganoung administers.
“The scholarship fund is entering its 26th year. With the help of community members, fellow instructors, fellow students and businesses, we have established an organization for tuition assistance, college grants, support for the Ukiah Symphony, the Ukiah Community Concert Association and the Lake County Symphony. It’s been a fabulous ride. My dream has come true,” Ganoung continues.
Janice Hawthorne Timm is well-known for performing musical theatre, teaching and working with many local theatre groups. She is a big fan of the Allegro Scholarship Program. “The cost of lessons can be a barrier to learning, so I always recommend the Ukiah School of Music to people interested in lessons. It’s important to remember that this event is a fundraiser.”
Musician, composer, instructor and sound engineer John Simon will be performing modern jazz after a few years hiatus from the concert. Simon is known locally for his many years performing with Paula Samonté. “This concert is kind of a Mendo thing in a lot of ways,” he says.
Wendy DeWitt is “The Boogie Woogie Queen” and will be returning to perform what she does best. A performer who has played alongside Charlie Musselwhite, Otis Rush and many more, the national and international award-winning musician and teacher notes, “Music is love and life, exponentially.”
Ed Reinhart is one of Mendocino County’s veteran, tour-de-force performers, whose Boogie Woogie and Blues performances are always crowd-pleasers. “This is my favorite performance. This is the highlight of my year, or it was, until now,” he quips.
Elizabeth MacDougall is a well-known and beloved classical musician and instructor who has been teaching at Mendocino College since 1985. “I think people should treat this as a festival and go to both concerts.”
Ben Rueb is a classical pianist who was playing Bach preludes as a young person, and has continued to bring his passion for playing as a piano instructor for more than 20 years. “For many concerts you have the preparation, the concert and the afterparty. Most of the times, the afterparty is the most fun part of the experience. This one concert IS the afterparty,” he says.
Saturday’s performance begins at 7 p.m. and will feature Brewer, Calvache, McClure, Reinhart, Rueb and Timm. Sunday’s performance begins at 2 p.m. and will feature Brewer, DeWitt, Casanova, Ganoung, MacDougall and Simon. Expect some “surprise guests” at the shows.
Come early and view the assemblage sculpture show featuring artists Spencer Brewer and Esther Siegel at the adjoining Mendocino College Art Gallery. There will be autographed CDs, music and books by the artists for sale in the lobby.
The Mendocino College Center Theatre is at 1000 Hensley Creek Road in Ukiah. Tickets are on sale at Mendocino Book Company, Mazahar in Willits, online at www.UkiahConcerts.org and at the door. “I ‘Wanna’ See the Hands” limited seating is available. For more information, call (707) 463-2738.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( A ‘Hands-On’ event: 32nd Professional Pianist Concert coming soon )
Also on site :
- Child Damages $56 Million Rothko Painting in Rotterdam Museum
- Videos capture fighting during Israeli raid in occupied West Bank
- Here’s how to watch LlamaCon, Meta’s first AI developer event