Bill Mays solo piano Pittsfield, MA Feb. 21, 2015
Ten Decades of Jazz Piano With Bill Mays, solo pianoMaster pianist Bill Mays provides examples of jazz' progression from raggedy honky-tonk sounds to its speakeasy era, to its heyday in the mid-20th century, to bebop and beyond, and now, to "America's Classical Music." Choosing one example from each of 10 decades, his interpretations both entertain and educate; Come hear the NY-based virtuoso in his Pittsfield debut.
- Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015, 8pm.
- Baba Louie’s Backroom, 34 Depot Street, Pittsfield
- $15 through Feb. 20; $20 at the door. Advance purchase strongly advised.
- Dinner available separately, in the main dining room starting at 6pm, or backroom (doors open at 7pm).
(Once online box office is closed, tickets may be available at the venue; call 413-841-7718 to verify.)
In addition to his reputation as a jazz pianist noted as both a first-rate accompanist, and soloist, Bill Mays is well-known for his compositional and arranging talents. He has contributed music to the libraries of a wide array of artists: Aureole chamber ensemble, Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, Percy Faith Orchestra, Woody Herman Orchestra, Morgana King, Shelly Manne, Mark Murphy, Bud Shank, Marvin Stamm, Lew Tabackin, Turtle Creek Chorale and Phil Woods.Currently, he tours and records in many varied configurations: duo with trumpeter Marvin Stamm, the Inventions Trio, solo piano, his trio (featuring Matt Wilson & Martin Wind), duo with Bud Shank, and a sextet. He has many awards and honors as an arranger, pianist and producer, and has been the recipient of performance grants from Meet The Composer, Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour. He has recorded over two dozen albums under his own name, and has been heard on hundreds more by others. More about Bill Mays