Driving beat , masterful left hand, interesting juxtaposition of technical virtuosity and the intricate nuances of every piece he plays. Showing off his immense talents, yet not a hint of hubris . I never heard of this man until recently , having been a Peterson, Garner, Shearing , Art Tatum fanatic , but he can take a seat next to any of them. What a pleasure- could listen to his playing for hours.
I was there! Best pianist no one heard of. He was wonderful Great to see Dick Gibson introduce him. Among various sources I learned from over the decades, the richest source was my ~15 years attending all the Gibson Jazz Concerts at the Paramount. The finest lineage of immortal players and, yes, Dick's commentary on every player - I loved it all! Concerts were the longest - 3 hours with a long intermission of "refreshment"!
My favorite pianist. I know there is no "better," when it comes to pianists. Bill Evans. Oscar Peterson. Sir Roland Hanna. Colliani. Suttons. Professor Longhair. So many more. Sure. All brilliant. But McKenna is the only one who shows off by not showing off. Elegant. Slick. Stride master. An entire orchestra at his fingertips. A great regret is that I never saw him in person. I own everything he ever recorded, including his backup of Teddi King in her old age. You will live forever and finally be recognized.
Dave McKenna - totally original, complete solo pianist. No one ever played solo jazz piano any better. Thank you so much for sharing, there's so much to learn from him and just to enjoy!
I use to drive from Kansas City to attend these shows. Occasionally, I would be able to slip by security and into the green room to meet all the jazz giants and get my albums autographed. These shows were some of the highlights of my life. I was never aware of any video being shot, so it's a real surprise to see now that filming was done and makes me wonder how much more is out there? Ramcey in Nashville.
I have heard him in person at Berkeley concert hall -would go again and again. I played at Nordstrom store for four and one half years in Honolulu - would do so again and again. Dave Mckenna doing Poor Butterfly. Wonderfull playing.
dwayne musik Gifted instinct -and a LOT of hard practice, obsession and off the compass, driven work and inborn creativity with it! And he couldn't NOT do it -like all great musicians.
+Brian Kate Johnstone love your reply ! Exactly ... Dave like so many great musicians.....with his passionate musical gift couldn't not do it. I had the wonderful pleasure of playing with many good jazz musicians. Jazz ...one of the few venues of complete honesty.
Driving beat , masterful left hand, interesting juxtaposition of technical virtuosity and the intricate nuances of every piece he plays. Showing off his immense talents, yet not a hint of hubris . I never heard of this man until recently , having been a Peterson, Garner, Shearing , Art Tatum fanatic , but he can take a seat next to any of them. What a pleasure- could listen to his playing for hours.
I was there! Best pianist no one heard of. He was wonderful Great to see Dick Gibson introduce him. Among various sources I learned from over the decades, the richest source was my ~15 years attending all the Gibson Jazz Concerts at the Paramount. The finest lineage of immortal players and, yes, Dick's commentary on every player - I loved it all! Concerts were the longest - 3 hours with a long intermission of "refreshment"!
My favorite pianist. I know there is no "better," when it comes to pianists. Bill Evans. Oscar Peterson. Sir Roland Hanna. Colliani. Suttons. Professor Longhair. So many more. Sure. All brilliant. But McKenna is the only one who shows off by not showing off. Elegant. Slick. Stride master. An entire orchestra at his fingertips. A great regret is that I never saw him in person. I own everything he ever recorded, including his backup of Teddi King in her old age. You will live forever and finally be recognized.
-- Colliani --
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12:15 Saturday March 25, 2023. Sunny day at last in Honolulu
Dave McKenna - totally original, complete solo pianist. No one ever played solo jazz piano any better.
Thank you so much for sharing, there's so much to learn from him and just to enjoy!
The atmosphere at the Paramount back in the day at these shows was absolutely magical.
A very modest man who was underrated by many.....including himself. A huge talent up there with the best.
Use to go to these concerts, they were great!!!
Amazing!
I use to drive from Kansas City to attend these shows. Occasionally, I would be able to slip by security and into the green room to meet all the jazz giants and get my albums autographed. These shows were some of the highlights of my life. I was never aware of any video being shot, so it's a real surprise to see now that filming was done and makes me wonder how much more is out there? Ramcey in Nashville.
OMG....what an absolutely stunning version of I'm Old Fashion! ......Everything Dave played was always purely Dave McKenna
I have heard him in person at Berkeley concert hall -would go again and again. I played at Nordstrom store for four and one half years in Honolulu - would do so again and again. Dave Mckenna doing Poor Butterfly. Wonderfull playing.
The Subtle Genius Dave McKenna ❤️
Dave was amazing! Check out all the private McKenna concerts I've uploaded at www.davemckennapiano.com.
+Corte Swearingen I'm very grateful to you for uploading these McKenna clips.
Нет слов, фортепьянный Бог
Un Piano no gasta ni Benzina... Ni Electricitat.... I GRÀCIES a Pianistes com aquest SENYOR... DONEN MOLTA LLUM🙏🎆🎆🍸🍸🌀🌀👉
How does one learn to play like that?
dwayne musik Gifted instinct -and a LOT of hard practice, obsession and off the compass, driven work and inborn creativity with it!
And he couldn't NOT do it -like all great musicians.
+Brian Kate Johnstone love your reply ! Exactly ... Dave like so many great musicians.....with his passionate musical gift couldn't not do it. I had the wonderful pleasure of playing with many good jazz musicians. Jazz ...one of the few venues of complete honesty.
Fact: There is absolutely No Way to learn how to play the piano like Dave McKenna ❤️
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