On June 17th and 18th, 2017 Piano by Nature has created a VERY special chamber music experience for the North Country. One which expands upon the return of one of our all-time favorite artists—Jazzical pianist JOEL A. MARTIN. And expanding is a difficult thing to do, since Joel blew us all away the first time with his heartwarming storytelling, passionate piano-playing, and transcendent musicianship. And then there were the kids. Joel performed and worked with both Westport and Willsboro Central Schools in presentations that will never be forgotten—and of course, they are asking for more.

In case you missed him last time, here is your chance to see someone with creativity the likes many have never encountered before. Someone who can take jazz and classical styles and whip them into vibrant and unique works of art—whole and stunning—on the spot. And Joel IS the master of this universe. Check out his website to learn more at www.jazzical.com.

Here is a little about Joel:

Joel A. Martin is the creator of Jazzical®, a marriage of classical and jazz. Through Jazzical he has collaborated with and/or written music for Grammy® Award-winners Kathleen Battle, Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas, Brooklyn Youth Chorus, cellist Eugene Friesen of the Paul Winter Consort, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jaimoe of the Allman Brothers. He has produced and played on critically acclaimed CDs by Brazilian jazz master Paul Lieberman, gospel jazz singer Jolie Rocke Brown, among many other artists.

At 17 Joel was the youngest pianist ever, and the first African American pianist, to compete in the 1985 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. He has appeared as soloist with the NY Philharmonic, El Paso Symphony, Springfield Symphony Orchestra (MA), Philadelphia Orchestra, Cab Calloway Orchestra, New Hampshire Festival Orchestra, and the Hartford Symphony.

And if it wasn’t enough to just have Joel A. Martin back and all-to-ourselves, he then asked if we might open up one of the concerts for a duo—so he could bring a friend. We then found out that the friend was none other than Grammy-winning cellist Eugene Friesen, a member of the Paul Winter Consort, artist, composer, conductor, and teacher who has worked with the likes of Toots Thielemans and Dave Brubeck, among many others.

Then we said …whatever you want Joel!! 🙂

(Check out Eugene Friesen playing one of his own stunning compositions here… https:// youtu.be/p5Bvr3R73BY)

Concert Details

Two exceptional concerts will be held at the Historic Hand House in Elizabethtown, NY—one Saturday, June 17th at 7PM with solo pianist Joel A. Martin performing his unique mix of jazz and classical works, and the other a duo concert with cellist Eugene Friesen on Sunday, June 18th at 3PM. Tickets are $15 per adult, and $5 for 15-and-under. We will take reservations by phone and encourage you to call ahead. And if you would like to give a bit extra and sponsor a ticket for a student or senior, please let us know.

For more information visit www.pianobynature.org, our Piano by Nature Facebook page, and/or call 518 962 8899.