Is the music scene in Columbus, Ohio unbelievable or what? Well it is!
Last Saturday evening I had the good fortune to hear Aaron Diehl and his trio at the Lincoln Theatre here in Columbus. Mr. Diehl was honoring the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra. As a former alumni of this amazing group, Aaron Diehl brought class and elegance to this wonderful celebration of 25 years of the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra.
I thought I had died and gone to heaven with all of his selections. He plays with great feeling, and of course incredible technique. Aaron performed an amazing Philip Glass etude number 16. It was beautiful. Again a beautiful jazz rendition, but honestly he mentioned that he has played it at jazz vespers in NYC. Is this guy the man or what? I've heard around town that Aaron is described as the real Diehl, so so appropriate.
And digressing from the piano and Mr. Diehl, I must comment on his trio. Lawrence Leathers, on drums. Well first off, the man is from Lansing, Michigan. As a Spartan, well what can I say but the man is unbelievable. Very smooth, and full of surprises. You have to be ready as there was one selection last night, where there was a long pause, and when Mr. Leathers jumped back in with very loud percussion, I almost jumped out of my seat seriously. Job well done last night!
And Paul Sikivie, bassist, well I don't believe I have ever heard anyone become one with their instrument quite like Paul. It seemed like Mr. Sikivie was breathing as if he were attached to the bass. It again reminds me of Yo-Yo Ma, the hallmark of his cello playing is oneness with the instrument. Again, I have never seen anything like it. So incredible, and such great control of such a large instrument. Very fine playing last night and Paul Sikivie's facial expressions confirmed he was having a very good time.
The second half of the concert was music performed by the Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra. Amazing playing by so many talented high school students. Aaron Diehl came back to the stage to perform Duke Ellington's Cottontail with the students. I cannot imagine looking up from the drums like Rhys Washington did, and realize, "hey I'm playing with Aaron Diehl." Quite amazing.
I am now convinced that Aaron Diehl and his trio have a long musical career ahead of them. There is a class, and polish to Aaron Diehl, that seems a bit like that of a classical virtuoso. That being said, with his Juilliard degree to back him up, he could probably return to the classical vein if he so desired. But I am glad that he is playing jazz. He plays beyond all expectations, and you know that Aaron Diehl is aiming to surprise you every step of the way.
Absolutely beautiful music Saturday night. Aaron Diehl -simply one more way the piano never stops surprising me!
Monday, April 25, 2016
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Matt Munhall- Gives new meaning to the TALENT in local talent
I'm blogging today about Worthington,Ohio pianist and musician Matt Munhall. As a former member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Worthington, Matt, his parents and his many siblings are members of St. Michael's parish.
Often when I am sitting in the pews after communion, I look like I am watching the various people headed to the altar to receive the Eucharist. In reality, I am often thinking about my music, either something I am currently playing, a song I heard on the radio, a post from a friend who is in the Harmony Project, or a video from renowned Canadian pianist Angela Hewitt.
At the 10:30 a.m. Mass I often see Matt headed up the aisle to receive Holy Communion. I often think to myself, "wow I hope Matt isn't giving up on his music Lord" And from the looks of his website at www.mattmunhall.com, he isn't!! It also gives me some degree of satisfaction as a parent, that there are children who commit to making music part of their lives. A million things can be wrong with the world on any given day, but all is right with the world, when you hear and know a wonderful musician like Matt. Just to catch a small glimpse of his work around town, makes me happy to know that someone else cherishes the piano as much as I do!!!!
I know Matt is a fine pianist because I have had the opportunity to hear him play at the Columbus Life Care Alliance, Big Wheels fundraiser. Chuck Gehring who is the CEO of Life Care and a former St. Michael's parishioner, has included Matt in many of the cocktail hours associated with the incredible dining fundraiser,that is Life Care's annual revenue raising event.
I love the way Matt plays. You can tell that he is comfortable in many genres, and in his bio on www.mattmunhall.com, you can see the full content of his amazing musical efforts over the years.
I like the way Chris Deville wrote about Matt in Columbus Alive. "Munhall is the kind of pop songwriter you and your parents can agree on. He's classy in many senses of the word - polite and well groomed, but also smart, sophisticated and capable of writing songs that bridge the generation gap. Munhall's skill as an arranger comes to the fore spectacularly on the album. Every sound gets its spotlight."
Yes, it is in fact a very good song, if you and your parents can agree!I think that sums it up quite eloquently.
So I love Facebook, but it also drives me crazy. Yet, it is a wonderful tool to showcase what is happening with pianists around the world. Matt posted his recent song Walking to the Light from his new album. It speaks to me in a wonderful way. Perhaps with the challenges of adult children moving on, and thinking ahead to what is next after a long and interesting legal career, I think Walking to the Light, is quite inspiring. The video captures the journey Matt is on, and also shows some head shots of him, that reflect some type of injury he has had. The song contains a wonderful level of optimism, that says Matt is meeting his challenges.
Take a moment to listen and watch this amazing video! I think you are going to like it! And check out Matt's website to see his upcoming shows and residencies here in Central Ohio. The piano never stops surprising me, ever!!! But hopefully Matt Munhall is going to surprise you!!
https://vimeo.com/157234597
Often when I am sitting in the pews after communion, I look like I am watching the various people headed to the altar to receive the Eucharist. In reality, I am often thinking about my music, either something I am currently playing, a song I heard on the radio, a post from a friend who is in the Harmony Project, or a video from renowned Canadian pianist Angela Hewitt.
At the 10:30 a.m. Mass I often see Matt headed up the aisle to receive Holy Communion. I often think to myself, "wow I hope Matt isn't giving up on his music Lord" And from the looks of his website at www.mattmunhall.com, he isn't!! It also gives me some degree of satisfaction as a parent, that there are children who commit to making music part of their lives. A million things can be wrong with the world on any given day, but all is right with the world, when you hear and know a wonderful musician like Matt. Just to catch a small glimpse of his work around town, makes me happy to know that someone else cherishes the piano as much as I do!!!!
I know Matt is a fine pianist because I have had the opportunity to hear him play at the Columbus Life Care Alliance, Big Wheels fundraiser. Chuck Gehring who is the CEO of Life Care and a former St. Michael's parishioner, has included Matt in many of the cocktail hours associated with the incredible dining fundraiser,that is Life Care's annual revenue raising event.
I love the way Matt plays. You can tell that he is comfortable in many genres, and in his bio on www.mattmunhall.com, you can see the full content of his amazing musical efforts over the years.
I like the way Chris Deville wrote about Matt in Columbus Alive. "Munhall is the kind of pop songwriter you and your parents can agree on. He's classy in many senses of the word - polite and well groomed, but also smart, sophisticated and capable of writing songs that bridge the generation gap. Munhall's skill as an arranger comes to the fore spectacularly on the album. Every sound gets its spotlight."
Yes, it is in fact a very good song, if you and your parents can agree!I think that sums it up quite eloquently.
So I love Facebook, but it also drives me crazy. Yet, it is a wonderful tool to showcase what is happening with pianists around the world. Matt posted his recent song Walking to the Light from his new album. It speaks to me in a wonderful way. Perhaps with the challenges of adult children moving on, and thinking ahead to what is next after a long and interesting legal career, I think Walking to the Light, is quite inspiring. The video captures the journey Matt is on, and also shows some head shots of him, that reflect some type of injury he has had. The song contains a wonderful level of optimism, that says Matt is meeting his challenges.
Take a moment to listen and watch this amazing video! I think you are going to like it! And check out Matt's website to see his upcoming shows and residencies here in Central Ohio. The piano never stops surprising me, ever!!! But hopefully Matt Munhall is going to surprise you!!
https://vimeo.com/157234597
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