“For the duration of the competition, on the Jade Simmons' NewMuseic YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/newmuseic) she will also run her own daily blog called Keeping up with the Kliburn (a play on the title of popular E! reality show Keeping up with the Kardashians) and invites people to rate her ever-changing webcast wardrobe in a special video blog feature called Did Jade Make the Grade?” “Most recently, Jade made her recording debut on the E1 Music label (formerly KOCH Records) with Revolutionary Rhythm, an eclectic collection of Contemporary and Modern American piano music including Samuel Barber, John Corigliano, Austin-based electronic music composer Russell Pinkston, and Haitian-American violinist/composer Daniel Bernard Roumain AKA DBR.” “For more info on Jade Simmons please visit: http://www.jademedia.org"
In 1992 Mr. Pratt won the Naumburg International Piano Competition and two years later was awarded a 1994 Avery Fisher Career Grant. He has played numerous recitals throughout the U.S. including performances in New York at Lincoln Center, Washington, D.C. at the Kennedy Center, Los Angeles at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and Chicago at Orchestra Hall.” “In September, 1993 Mr. Pratt signed an exclusive recording contract with Angel/EMI. His debut album, A Long Way From Normal, was released in 1994. Subsequent recital discs include an all Beethoven Sonata CD, Live from South Africa and Transformations. His most recent Angel/EMI recording is an all Bach disc with the St. Lawrence String Quartet. Mr. Pratt is currently an Associate Professor of Piano and Artist in Residence at the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.”
“Roy Eaton first performed in Carnegie Hall on Thursday, June 17, 1937 as a Gold Medalist in a competition sponsored by the Music Education League of New York. Winner of the first Kosciuszko Foundation Chopin Award in June 1950, he made his American debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performing Chopin's F minor Concerto under George Schick in 1951.” [Full Post] [Scott Joplin and William Grant Still are profiled at AfriClassical.com]
[Blind Boone's Piano Music, An African American composer performed by Frank Townsell; Laurel LR-860CD (1998)]
On Feb. 29, 2008 AfriClassical posted: “Frank Townsell, African American Pianist Of CD 'Blind Boone's Piano Music'”. Here is an excerpt: “Frank Townsell taught formerly at the University of British Columbia, and for the past twenty six years at City College of San Francisco. Frank Townsell Plays (2003) is a recording on which the pianist interprets solo piano works of Chopin, Debussy, Schubert and the African American Composer Clarence Cameron White, whom we profiled on Feb. 27, 2008. The recording is available from CDBaby.com An earlier recording is Blind Boone's Piano Music, An African American composer performed by Frank Townsell, Laurel LR-860CD (1998). A tip from a niece of John Boone, known as Blind Boone (1864-1927), led him to undertake the research and recording project, with the support of the National Endowment for the Arts. An overview of the life and career of John Boone is included at the pianist's website.” Frank Townsell sent this E-mail Dec. 27, 2008: “Hi Bill, I'm wishing you and yours the Best in 2009 and even greater achievements for you and your wonderful company. John "Blind" Boone is much the better known thanks to you and your efforts to promote his legacy. Sincerely, Frank” AfriClassical is pleased to have played a small role in increasing public awareness of John Boone and of Frank Townsell's recording of Boone's works for piano on Laurel LR-860CD (1998).
On October 28, 2008 AfriClassical posted news of a concert on Roosevelt Island, New York City: “Roy Eaton Plays Chopin, Joplin & Gershwin at Church of the Good Shepherd Nov. 16, 2:30 pm”. The full title of the program is Roy Eaton, Pianist: Music of Chopin, Joplin and Gershwin In Tribute to Irene Chesman.” We have received this update from the pianist: “Irene Chesman was my first piano teacher. She just passed away on Friday, October 31 at 100 years of age! The piano I will be performing on was donated by her to the church.”
[Beethoven Piano Sonatas; Awadagin Pratt, piano; EMI 55290 (1996)
The African American pianist Awadagin Pratt has been Associate Professor of Piano and Artist-in-Residence at the College-Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinnati since 2004. His website gives an overview of his life in music: “Born in Pittsburgh, Awadagin Pratt began studying piano at the age of six. Three years later, having moved to Normal, Illinois with his family, he also began studying violin. At the age of 16, he entered the University of Illinois where he studied piano, violin, and conducting. He subsequently enrolled at the Peabody Conservatory of Music where he became the first student in the school's history to receive diplomas in three performance areas - piano, violin and conducting. In 1992 Mr. Pratt won the Naumburg International Piano Competition and two years later was awarded a 1994 Avery Fisher Career Grant. He has played numerous recitals throughout the U.S. including performances in New York at Lincoln Center, Washington, D.C. at the Kennedy Center, Los Angeles at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and Chicago at Orchestra Hall.”
Church of the Good Shepherd, Roosevelt Island
Monday, 20 October 2008“Roy Eaton first performed in Carnegie Hall on Thursday, June 17,1937 as a Gold Medalist in a competition sponsored by the Music Education League of New York. Winner of the first Kosciuszko Foundation Chopin Award in June 1950, he made his American debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performing Chopin's F minor Concerto under George Schick in 1951. He was re-engaged to perform Beethoven's 4th concerto, and also made his New York Town Hall debut in 1952. His career was "temporarily" interrupted by two years in the U.S. Army, then approximately thirty years in advertising at Young & Rubicam, Benton & Bowles, and Roy Eaton Music. Roy Eaton’s life story is one of spiritual and creative triumph - overcoming significant difficulties and adversity. One of his missions has been to restore Scott Joplin's works to the domain that it was Joplin's intention that they live--as classical works in the tradition of the great European masters. He is on the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music and performs in concert throughout the world. December 9, 2002 marked his return to Carnegie Hall as soloist with the N. Y. Pops Orchestra led by Skitch Henderson. His current featured recordings are Joplin: Piano Rags, Sony; The Complete Preludes Of Chopin, Gershwin, Still, Summit Records; and Keyboard Classics For Children, Summit Records.” [Scott Joplin is profiled at AfriClassical.com]
The African American pianist Roy F. Eaton sends us this announcement for Thursday, July 17, 2008, 5 PM: "Roy plays a program entitled 'Gershwin and Friends' as part of Bryant Park's 'Music at 5 series'. He will feature the Seven Gershwin Preludes along with selections by Scott Joplin, Ravel, Chopin & Bill Evans. Bryant Park is located behind the main New York Public Library branch at 42nd street. [The African American ragtime and classical composer Scott Joplin (1868-1917) is profiled at AfriClassical.com]
On April 24, 2008 AfriClassical posted “Jonathan Cambry (b. 1982), African American Pianist in Chicago, Performs on YouTube”. Today we received this appreciative comment from Jay: “Jonathan Cambry is one of the best classical pianist minds that I've ever seen in person. Anyone who has seen his YouTube videos has to be surprised with what they see, not just as an African American, but as an accomplished pianist. Thanks for covering him!”
