I got to see Dave a few times in Hartford. As a jazz pianist I was trying to figure out how he did what he did. Then I was booked in the same room on the same piano a few weeks after he had been there. I heard Dave had told the owner "Next time don't get me a piano that's not so hard to play (not broken in)". I thought, what chance do I have if Dave McKenna thinks it's hard to play. (I survived, just barely). Someone said, "McKenna plays piano the way it's meant to be played". I agree. So tasty.
It’s like no one finger is favored above another. Each responsible for producing just as much as the other. As the man said, “The Splendid Splinter of piano playing”. Thank you for sharing this intimate view of a genius at work. And thanks to the person who captured this moment.
At 29:55 Dave does an inner line with his left thumb while doing the bass line with his 3 4 and 5 fingers while soloing with his right hand. I never noticed that in other videos but heard often in recordings. This video is a constant source of inspiration for seeing how his technique works.
11:00 the sweetest sounds (Rodgers) 17:10 All I Ask (Gordon Jenkins) 21:44 Corcovado (Jobim) 35:22 Makin’ Whoopee (Donaldson/Kahn) 50:10 Isn’t this a lovely day (Irvin Berlin) 55:39 Come rain or come shine ( Arlen) 1:08:21 April in Paris (Vernon Duke) 1:11:10 One morning in May (Hoagy Carmichael) 1:15:21 It might as well be spring (Rodgers/Hammerstein)
I did have the great pleasure of hearing and meeting Dave McKenna in Berkeley (California) at the gem of architecture by (architect Bernard Maybeck) . Acoustics and pianist marvelous.
These people didn't know they were listening to a master. Better than Bill Evans (well at least to my ears--I know there is no better.) He doesn't show off. Well, he shows off by not showing off. Elegant. Slick. Stride master. How I wish I had heard him in person. I own everything he ever recorded.
Bill had an entirely different style, it might be inappropriate to compare one master to the other. Bill, by the way, never showed off either. Both of them were and are true giants of jazz, admired all over the world, and that's the point. Dave respected Bill despite the dissimilarities of their styles and paid a tribute to his art at a memorial concert.
I did once hear him in person, near the very end of his life. He was playing with a trio at Pizza Express jazz club in central London. I'll never forget it.
Nice work if you can get it. I think I have read somewhere that he knocked his left hand into shape as a young man covering for bass players that did not show up in lesser jazz joints.
Dave McKenna once knocked over the water bottle on my table in a jazz club and graciously offered a piano request to make it up. True gent.
I got to see Dave a few times in Hartford. As a jazz pianist I was trying to figure out how he did what he did. Then I was booked in the same room on the same piano a few weeks after he had been there. I heard Dave had told the owner "Next time don't get me a piano that's not so hard to play (not broken in)". I thought, what chance do I have if Dave McKenna thinks it's hard to play. (I survived, just barely). Someone said, "McKenna plays piano the way it's meant to be played". I agree. So tasty.
"No applause is necessary... just intelligent nods." I love this guy.
It’s like no one finger is favored above another. Each responsible for producing just as much as the other. As the man said, “The Splendid Splinter of piano playing”. Thank you for sharing this intimate view of a genius at work. And thanks to the person who captured this moment.
At 29:55 Dave does an inner line with his left thumb while doing the bass line with his 3 4 and 5 fingers while soloing with his right hand. I never noticed that in other videos but heard often in recordings. This video is a constant source of inspiration for seeing how his technique works.
11:00 the sweetest sounds (Rodgers)
17:10 All I Ask (Gordon Jenkins)
21:44 Corcovado (Jobim)
35:22 Makin’ Whoopee (Donaldson/Kahn)
50:10 Isn’t this a lovely day (Irvin Berlin)
55:39 Come rain or come shine ( Arlen)
1:08:21 April in Paris (Vernon Duke)
1:11:10 One morning in May (Hoagy Carmichael)
1:15:21 It might as well be spring (Rodgers/Hammerstein)
Wow thank you for posting Dave McKenna's masterful playing, and keeping so much camera on him. What a piano lesson!
I did have the great pleasure of hearing and meeting Dave McKenna in Berkeley (California) at the gem of architecture by (architect Bernard Maybeck) . Acoustics and pianist marvelous.
I too am grateful to Corte Swearingen for spreading the music of Dave McKenna around. I hope to have spelled his name Corte --correctly.
El maestro Mckenna dando un precioso recital,clase y elegancia.
DEP †🕊️
that left hand!!!
These people didn't know they were listening to a master. Better than Bill Evans (well at least to my ears--I know there is no better.) He doesn't show off. Well, he shows off by not showing off. Elegant. Slick. Stride master. How I wish I had heard him in person. I own everything he ever recorded.
lol he had to tell them to talk
Perhaps you should rip it all and post it. Just a wonderful thought.
Bill had an entirely different style, it might be inappropriate to compare one master to the other. Bill, by the way, never showed off either. Both of them were and are true giants of jazz, admired all over the world, and that's the point. Dave respected Bill despite the dissimilarities of their styles and paid a tribute to his art at a memorial concert.
I did once hear him in person, near the very end of his life. He was playing with a trio at Pizza Express jazz club in central London. I'll never forget it.
Thanks!!!!!!
Great pianist!
Incredible to have such a great pianist playing in your home! Many thanks for this treasure!!!! Do you happen to have a track list for this, Corte?
Nice work if you can get it. I think I have read somewhere that he knocked his left hand into shape as a young man covering for bass players that did not show up in lesser jazz joints.
53:55 On the Sunny Side of The Street
What’s the song at around 03:07?
27:04 ?
44:47
Anyone know what the song is at 50:10 ?
Isn't This A Lovely Day (To Be Caught In The Rain?)
Anyone know the name of the ballad he plays starting at 17:10? It’s sounds very familiar but I can’t put a name to it.
“This Is All I Ask” by Gordon Jenkins
Toots with Bill Evans
ruclips.net/video/t9j3Us2Vuh4/видео.html
This Is All I Ask by Gordon Jenkins
35:26 Ain't Misbehavin'
Nope. It’s “Makin’ Whoopee”
1:11:10
How High the Moon 1:05:40?
I don t recognize this song but It s not how high the moon .
32:36
Song at 11:00?
The Sweetest Sounds