April 22, 2015
PIANOFEST NORTHWEST 2015 brings world-class artists to the island in a celebration of piano music-classical to contemporary.
Whidbey Island Center for the Arts is proud to present the third annual PianoFest Northwest April 23 – 26. Please join us for a five day celebration of “all things piano” featuring compositions by local and regional composers and performances by local, regional, national, and international pianists and their guests.
CLAUDIO MÉNDEZ
Headlining from Bueno Aires: Hot Latin American tango and a tribute to Argentine folklore and tango pianists,
with guest artist Bertram Levy from Tangoheart on the bandoneon is on Saturday, April 25 @ 7:30
Headlining this year’s festival is internationally acclaimed Argentine pianist and recording artist Claudio Mendez. Please join us in welcoming him and his guest Bertram Levy as they explore the rich and vibrant music of Tango and the fusion of Latin American jazz, folk, and rock.
PIANOFEST 2015 OPENING NIGHT
The Local Groove with pianist Sheila Weidendorf: Classical and Contemporary on Wednesday, April 22 @ 7:30
Spotlighting the original compositions of local and regional artists: James Hinkley, Whidbey native Angelina Poteat, and Alan Hochaness. Please join us as we welcome Shelia Weidendorf and her guests: Kathy Fox, Dianne Vars, Mark Findlay, and Peter Morton for an evening of classical to contemporary piano music.
RANDY HALBERSTADT WITH GAIL PETTIS: An evening of Jazz on Friday April 24 @ 7:30
Randy Halberstadt is an American jazz pianist, composer, recording artist, author, and teacher of Jazz Theory at Cornish College of the Arts. He teaches theory, ear-training, jazz piano, and vocal jazz.
Gail Pettis was named the 2010 Northwest Vocalist of the Year by Earshot Jazz Society (also 2007). Gail’s rich, warm vocals and understated phrasing have been described as “deliciously soulful” by Cadence Magazine. “… a retro air that hints at the silken sophistication and storytelling elan of the young Nancy Wilson…” – Christopher Loudon, JazzTimes MAGAZINE
LOUIS LANDON
Great American Songbook/Frank Sinatra: Opening performance by Maureen Girard and Clipper Anderson is Thursday, April 23 @ 7:30
Louis Landon is a Steinway Artist, solo pianist for peace, singer-songwriter, recording artist, and touring musician from New York. He toured and recorded with renowned musician John Payne as a member of the John Payne Band. He has performed and toured with Mikhail Baryshnikov, John Payne, Rupert Holmes, John Hall, and Pucho & His Latin Soul Brothers. In addition to classics drawn from the Great American Composers and Frank Sinatra, Louis will also perform solo piano originals.
Maureen Girard attended Willamette University in Salem, OR and Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, studying both Classical and Jazz Piano Performance. A resident of Langley since 1987, she is well known locally for her teaching and mentoring, as well as hosting the popular 88 Keys Piano Club.
Bassist Clipper Anderson is one of the most highly regarded musicians on the Northwest jazz scene today. Known for his improvisational virtuosity, his steady presence in the pocket, and his command of multiple styles, he plays with genuine reverence for the music and an unassuming mastery that speaks for itself.
MARC SEALES
Bringing down the house with Gospel, Blues and American Pop Standards on Sunday, April 26 @ 2:00
Marc Seales is an American jazz pianist associated with post-bop. As a Professor of Jazz Piano at the University of Washington in Seattle, Seales has worked with Benny Carter, Howard Roberts, Bobby Hutcherson and Art Pepper. His groups include New Stories and the Marc Seales Quartet. Seales won the Earshot Jazz Golden Ear Award for Best Instrumentalist in 1999.
His song “Highway Blues” was included by default in Windows XP, along with Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, where it gained much fame.
CLOSING NIGHT GALA FUNDRAISER
An intimate and casual evening of music and conversation with special guess Claudio Mendez and Betram Levy
Gala. Tickets $130 ($30 for PianoFest Attendees)
Limited seating available, to RSVP please contact the WICA box office.
Sunday, April 26 @ 5:30-7:00
TASTING MENU BY DES ROCK
Asian Spice Cured Salmon Crostini
Thai Coconut Soup Shooter
Star Anise Duck Confit
Spicy Green Mango Salad
Shish-Kebeb with Cucumber Raita
Palm Sugar Caramel Torte with Espresso Crema
PianoFest Performance Tickets: Adult $25 / Youth $14
Festival PASSES are available for $85 Adults / $60 Youth
Click Here for Online Purchases. Online tickets are available until noon the day of the show. For tickets by phone, call the Box Office at 800.638.7631 or 360.221.8268. You can also buy tickets in person at the Box Office at 565 Camano Ave in Langley between 1 and 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, or two hours before any show.
Whidbey Island Center for the Arts is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving the community of South Whidbey Island and beyond. WICA’s mission is to inspire, nourish, and enhance the artistic, social, and economic well-being of the community.
Whidbey Island Center for the Arts | 565 Camano Avenue, Langley, WA 98260 | 360.221.8262 | www.wicaonline.org