Re: Jon Kimura Parker, pianist
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2007 12:09 am
I've also seen him turn around while walking along a New York street, double back to sit down at an old upright piano at an outdoor sidewalk cafe, and offer up some rather impromtu ragtime for the entertainment of the passers-by (as well as himself) as the spirit moved him. His brother (although lesser known) is also a very VERY fine pianist as well.bloke wrote:Tonight, I played a concert with guest artist, Jon Kimura Parker.
This is my second time to accompany him. Maybe five years ago or so, I accompanied him with another orchestra playing Gershwin's Concerto in F. This evening he performed the Rachmaninoff Variations on a Theme of Paganini.
This man is an extraordinary pianist with flawless technique and unsurpassed musicianship.
He is also a very savvy entertainer.
After he brought the house down with the Rachmaninoff, the audience simply WOULD NOT STOP applauding. His encore, though, demonstrated his down-to-earth savvy: (Keep in mind the average age of symphony attendees, and the era in which the current crop of subscribers grew up.)
He sat back down and played about 5-6 minutes of Billy Joel stuff.
Fascinating person.
Top shelf, both of them. We could certainly use more like them in the concert halls!
(And, apparently he is also a first-rate teacher as well.)