The Art of Harlem Stride Jazz Piano

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Join us for an unforgettable evening of music at “The Art of Harlem Stride Jazz Piano,” a Whale & Jazz Series concert presented by Fred Adler and Gualala Arts. This concert will take place on Saturday, February 15 at 4 pm at Gualala Arts.  Tickets are $25 in advance, +$5 day of, $100 Sponsor Tickets with select seating are available online only.  Featuring Mike Lipskin; piano, Jeff Sanford; multi reedist, Benny Amon; drums.

Lipskin, born in New York, is a renowned jazz pianist who fell in love with jazz at the age of four, inspired by Fats Waller records from his father’s collection. During high school, he traveled to Harlem to learn from Harlem Stride masters like Willie “The Lion” Smith and Donald Lambert.

Lipskin became an artist and repertoire producer at RCA Records in New York, where he produced historical reissues for the “Vintage Series” and new albums for artists such as Gil Evans and Cedar Walton.

In the words of the late Los Angeles Times jazz critic, Leonard Feather, “Lipskin displays the virtues of technique, soul, freshness, and the spirit of youth in his flawless interpretations of Stride pieces.” The late, great Eubie Blake also confirmed that “Mike Lipskin plays Stride bass with perfect accuracy.” The legendary record producer, Jerry Wexler, adds: “He’s fantastic ’cause first of all, he’s got chops, he doesn’t fumble, he’s got that stride thing.” Fats Waller’s guitarist, Al Casey, when hearing Lipskin’s CD exclaimed, “I think I’m with Fats right now.

Here is my version of Jeepers Creepers“

In Lipskin’s own words: “I’m very excited to be performing as part of the Fred Adler and Gualala Arts Whale & Jazz series.

Repertoire will be my stride jazz arrangements of hallowed compositions of the Great American Songbook, and jazz classics of Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Willie the Lion Smith.  With me will be the very accomplished reed man, Jeff Sanford, and fine trad drummer Bennie Amon.”

Benny Amón is a highly regarded drummer specializing in New Orleans Jazz and other early jazz forms. He has established himself as one of the most prominent early jazz and roots drummers globally. Benny lived full-time in New Orleans from 2011 to 2021, where he performed regularly at iconic venues such as Preservation Hall, Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro, The Palm Court Jazz Cafe, and aboard the Steamboat Natchez.

Benny’s musical interests extend beyond early jazz, encompassing modern jazz, folk music, and pop. He is an in-demand performing, recording, and teaching artist, known for his dynamic performances and deep understanding of jazz traditions.

Jeff Sanford is a renowned musician who wears many hats: clarinets, saxes and flutes played in a wide variety of styles, music teacher, bandleader and collector of vintage music scores and recordings. Originally from Queens NY, he came to San Francisco in the mid-1970s. He has performed with everyone from Steve Allen to Regina Carter to the San Francisco Symphony and has travelled to every continent to make music. Jeff founded the Cartoon Jazz Orchestra in 2000 to revive the music of Raymond Scott. His most recent CD is Jeff Sanford’s Cartoon Jazz Orchestra: Playland at the Beach (2023, Little Village).

Listen here for Jeepers Creepers by Mike Lipskin