10/09/2025
My absolute favorite thing is to accompany an excellent instrumentalist or vocalist while playing a great piano. All acoustic, in tune, with nuance that is simply not possible with a PSO (piano shaped object) or That Plastic Thing (keyboard).
It was for that reason I proposed doing Jazz in the Sanctuary at Fountain Street Church in 2014. I was so tired/bored with synths masquerading as pianos, with zero nuance. I was upset that Jazz gigs were routinely being done without a bassist, requiring the keyboard player to play ‘left-hand bass.’ I wanted to see/hear the interaction between players, experience the swing feel & timbre that can only happen with an acoustic upright bass. I wanted to hear piano voicings rather than LH bass and RH solo lines with nothing in between.
The concert series ran for 6 seasons (just 3 concerts per year) and usually featured 2 pianists & bassist. In this concert we featured a very young Alain Sullivan and not quite so young Elgin Vines. For variety, we played in different combination. On this tune, Lady Luck, by Thad Jones, just Alain & I played together. Alain was so young here. He just keeps getting better & better. I can barely play something resembling ‘stride’ but that’s what I was attempting here.
Since the series ended in 2020 (along with everything else) I’m happy to note that almost all Jazz gigs here in Grand Rapids include a bassist. I’m also happily ensconced one night a week at The Old Goat playing an acoustic baby grand piano.
I also play occasionally wherever there is a ‘real’ piano, most recently at St. Cecilia Music Center for a wedding.
The synth mostly sits in its case, very rarely taken to gigs anymore.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=30&fbclid=IwY2xjawNTXNZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHg7X9St7pCQ04IKXpqcRA0NSVP4pcrPtDKp_LRe2kiu2UpjGd5IZl7gysIuE_aem_5NUFgDWQH4A2ZTIQ5wtPCA&v=4m93fE-7u5I&feature=youtu.be
My musings come to an end now. Enjoy your day and check out some live music if you;re so inclined!
fountainstreet.org
