LIVE at Piedmont Piano Company
Mike Lipskin Trio
The last 2nd generation stride jazz pianist Mike Lipskin is joined by Jeff Sanford, virtuoso sax / clarinet / flute jazz master, and Ari Munkres, a premier Bay Area swinging bass player. They'll perform Mike's stimulating and unique arrangements of George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hart, historic compositions of stride jazz pianists Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, James P. Johnson, and Willie the Lion Smith, plus some of Mike's originals. Don't miss this special one-of-a-kind concert!
$30 General Admission
We are offering a limited number of tickets to attend this performance in person. Advance purchase is recommended. COVID-19 SAFETY: Masking is recommended but no longer required.
MIKE LIPSKIN
Last of the 2nd generation stride jazz pianists, Mike Lipskin, has performed internationally for over 50 year, appearing at Carnegie Hall, Davies Symphony Hall, 92nd St “Y”, and created his own stride jazz sound and compositions, available on his CDs. Mike appeared in the APTV documentary about his teacher Willie the Lion Smith, and A Great Day In Harlem,documentary on the monumental 1958 jazz photo. He helped edit a book of the same subject The Great Jazz Day, and supplied his own photos from the Harlem shoot. 'Edited a Fats Waller bio for Doubleday.
First hooked on FatsWaller 78s as toddler in NYC, by teen years he traveled to Harlem, learning from Willie The Lion, Luckey Roberts, Eubie Blake and Donald Lambert. On staff at RCA Records for 13 years: he produced historical Vintage Series reissues and new pop, jazz, and fusion albums. He helped perfect an acclaimed analogue process for rehabilitating ancient recordings. mikelipskinjazz.com
JEFF SANFORD
Virtuoso Jeff Sanford's career spans an impessive variety of music. He was a prodigy, learning clarinet by age 9, and teaching at 15. His early heroes were Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, and the Great American Songbook. He's at home with jazz, blues, classical, ethnic, and rock, and proficient on tenor, alto, soprano sax, clarinet, and flute. He was inspired by The Beatles and other influential rock groups of the ‘60s and worked with oldies like The Platters and The Crests. He joined a show band, Rainy Days, touring up and down the East Coast.
In 1976 Jeff arrived in San Francisco, then worked with Clark Terry, Tootie Heath, and Regina Cart, The Martini Brothers, The Golden Gate Park Band, The Frisky Frolics, Celia Ramsey, Dana Land, Patrice Haan, Sylvia Herold, Carl Vast, and Joel Abramson Orchestras. He’s since travelled all over playing in Europe, Asia, South America, and the Caribbean.
Currently, he leads the Cartoonjazz Septet and Orchestra, featuring technically difficult music composed for the legendary Warner Bros. and Disney golden age cartoons. He also teaches privately and has two big band classes weekly.
ARI MUNKRES
Bassist, Ari Munkres, is known as one of the swingingest players around. He is fortunate to have worked with such jazz greats as Louis Bellson, Bud Shank, Shorty Rodgers, Francico Aguabella, and poet Allen Ginsberg.
Ari Played 10 years with the Hot club of Sanfrancisco and has been playing with local legend band Gaucho for the past 24 years.
A true music scholar and Northern California Native, he graduated with a BA in music from CSU Humboldt. Ari has had the opportunity to collaborate with a multitude of musicians in cities across America and beyond. Playing (the) bass professionally for over 30 years, his obvious and sheer delight in his craft and artistry draws applause from audiences and critics alike.