As we continue to honor the arts, we have two amazing artists. Hawthorne residents Judy Kessler, gifted pianist, teacher and musical performing artist and Danny Flaherty, performing artist who is one of the Chicago 7 in the Golden Globe, SAG and predicted Oscar nominated film, The Trial of the Chicago 7.
CD of 9 original songs by Judy Kessler
On Jazz Café Au Lait Music
Titles:
1. She’s Back In Town
2. Psycho Sal
3. Coffee Cup
4. Bird
5. Snow
6. You Win
7. Secret Words
8. Portuguese Man
9. Little Sister
Judy Kessler – piano and vocals
John Colianni – piano on Coffee Cup, Psycho Sal and Portuguese Man
Dave Dowling – acoustic and electric guitar
Wayne Roberts – acoustic and electric bass
Yusef Ali – drums and percussion
Produced by John Colianni
Recorded and mixed by Dave Dowling at Turco Recording Studios,
Baltimore, MD
Mastered by Manfred Knoop at Knoop Music, River Edge, NJ
Dedicated to the memory of my mother.
Beethoven’s 250th Birthday Concert /Holiday Favorites featuring Judy Kessler , pianist with soprano, Mia Pafumi. Beethoven’s best loved works, Charlie Brown (Vince Guaraldi) Christmas, Judy Kessler’s original Chanukah Suite, as well as Xmas pop favorites Baby, It’s Cold Outside, Santa Baby and You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.
One generally doesn’t see the fervent playing that pianist Judith Kessler offered during a recent performance at the Old Post Office Pavilion. And that’s too bad. Kessler’s set, which consisted primarily of materials taken from the American popular songbook as well as well-known jazz compositions like Kenny Dorham’s Blue Bossa, was marked by a lyricism redolent of Bill Evans and a left hand a lot of fellow pianists and a few boxers would kill for. Kessler is hardly a mere lunch-hour cocktails ivory-tickler; her solo lines ran around and through the chord changes with the determination of a running back inches from paydirt without sacrificing lyricism and melodic invention.
You would think someone with such a flair for improvisation must have eaten and slept jazz for years, but that’s not the case with Kessler. While the D.C-area native has worked with the likes of Ronnie Wells (vocalist) and Ron Elliston (pianist), she considers Bartok, Debussy, Gershwin, and John Cage among her favorite composers. She’s managed to write original lyrics to classic jazz tunes like Dizzy Gillespie’s “Con Alma” and is currently rehearsing with her French Classical Jazz Ensemble, whose repertoire, she says, will consist of “romantic and continental” pieces like John Lewis’ Afternoon in Paris and more classically oriented material by French composers. Stay tuned for more about the ensemble, which, in addition to Kessler, consists of bassist Scott Giambusso, drummer Scott Taylor and flutist Robbie Robinson… In the meantime, Kessler plays at the Pavilion No 13th,16th,and 24th at noon.
This is another example of being at the right place at the right time. Byron Janis (born 1928)was an extremely talented and successful pupil of Vladimir Horowitz, the legendary concert pianist. Byron Janis has had an illustrious career as a concert pianist and composer. He was plagued by severe arthritis at age 45 and, learning how to stay positive, manage his extreme pain, and always remaining productive , he became Ambassador of the Arthritis Foundation.
The celebration of his 70th birthday coincided with his writing the musical score for Broadway show Hunchback of Notre Dame. He wanted a pianist to accompany his pair of Broadway stars in the Love Duet. I had the honor of being (briefly) coached by him and playing at this wonderful party in an exclusive French restaurant. Among the attendees were Cy Coleman and Tony Bennett!
Judy with Bryon Janis
Judy with Cy Coleman
Judy is a pianist-singer with an extensive musical background. She is well-versed in Jazz and Classical performance, and is an accomplished arranger-composer. Having served as Music Director and piano accompanist in many settings, including Georgetown University, Washington Ballet School and the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus classes and examinations, Judy has also spent numerous years playing improvisatory music for young children in movement classes. A graduate of Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Judy’s arrangements and compositions have been featured in her original groups, The French Classical Jazz Ensemble and Savoy Truffle. She has shared the concert stage with McCoy Tyner, done film score recording with Jennifer Holiday, recording work for Bobby Short, private engagements with Byron Janis and music installations for John Cage. Her CD, Secret Words, has been sold at Tower Records and Borders Books.
