Tribute to Jazz Pianists Set for Mainstage December 14

By Staff

A musical tribute to some of the most influential and innovative jazz pianists of our time will take place on December 14 at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center.
The compositions of such renowned musicians as Bud Powell, Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and Keith Jarrett, will be performed. Also recognized will be Art Tatum, one of the preeminent pianists. Although he is not known for his compositions, the skilled technician gained national acclaim for stride piano.

The featured pianist will be Joe Vincent Tranchina, an accomplished jazz pianist and composer. He will be accompanied by the center’s house band. 
The performance begins at 8 p.m. in the Little Theater. 

General admission tickets are $5. Reservations are required. For tickets, call the box office at ext. 5151.

Mr. Tranchina, a native New Yorker, has had a varied career as a pianist and composer playing in numerous venues and with many artists. As a composer he has written over 1,000 tunes in various genres: world beat jazz, fusion salsa, Brazilian, New Age, pop, and classical. 
As a pianist, Ms. Tranchina is the leader of various size ensembles including “Nat’ral Wood,” a seven-piece ensemble that performs all original world beat jazz, incorporating instrumentals, vocals, and dance. He also is a freelance sideman working with many different instrumentalists and vocalists.

Throughout his career his musical talents have been recognized. In 1991 and 1992, Mr. Tranchina received an award for the “Best of the Bronx” concert series, presented at Lehman Center for the Performing Arts. He also received the ASCAP Popular Music Award for three consecutive years. 

Following are the upcoming jazz jam sessions:
January 4: Tribute to a Basieite
January 18: Spotlight on Drummers
February 1: Latin Jazz 
February 15: Blues Night
March 1: Salute to Queens’ Jazz Greats 

LaGuardia Live Wire is produced by the Office of  Marketing and Communications. Submissions are welcomed by e-mail at Livewire@lagcc.cuny.edu, by phone at extension 5060 or in person in room E-508.