The Great Dave McKenna. I had the pleasure of hearing him in 1972 when the Newport Jazz Festival came to NYC. It was a solo piano concert at Carnegie Hall and Dave was the leadoff guy. I had never heard of him, but when he started playing I knew I was in the presence of a master. I had never heard the piano played with such assurance and power. Believe me, he set the bar real high for the pianists who followed him to the stage, no small feat considering that they included Brooks Kerr, Eubie Blake, Earl "Fatha" Hines, Bill Evans. They may even have been several others, but those are the ones I remember. That night is indelibly etched in my memory. What an evening for an 18 year old jazz enthusiast!
I envy you your getting to hear Dave McKenna play in concert! I've only gotten to know his playing through these UA-cam videos, but he is for me the perfect jazz pianist! His gorgeous tone and rock solid sense of rhythm, and the overall tastefulness of his playing won me over "in a heartbeat."
Well I've never seen him in person ...so wished I had. Isn't is wonderful to hear great piano players,...... sitting a bar listening to guys like Dave McKenna bring back so many memories of how many wonderful magical times I've had in my life, how much joy Dave brought to others...thanks for this contribution video ...love it
Dave used to play 6 nights in Seattle in the early 80s...I convinced some players to go hear him. Some were hipsters and said "Yeah, yeah, oh sure..." But when I 'em to show up, they always stayed the whole night. Ha! they LOVED Dave.
Just saw a splendid documentary on Dave last night in Boston at the Copley Plaza. I met him in the late 60’s and was stunned by his mastery. Been listening ever since. Exhilarating!
Thanks for posting all these great Dave McKenna videos. Some of my fondest memories are of seeing Dave perform at various clubs. I really miss those days, but it's nice to be able to relive some of it here.
If I could "clam" like that I'd be a happy camper! :)
The Great Dave McKenna. I had the pleasure of hearing him in 1972 when the Newport Jazz Festival came to NYC. It was a solo piano concert at Carnegie Hall and Dave was the leadoff guy. I had never heard of him, but when he started playing I knew I was in the presence of a master. I had never heard the piano played with such assurance and power. Believe me, he set the bar real high for the pianists who followed him to the stage, no small feat considering that they included Brooks Kerr, Eubie Blake, Earl "Fatha" Hines, Bill Evans. They may even have been several others, but those are the ones I remember. That night is indelibly etched in my memory. What an evening for an 18 year old jazz enthusiast!
I envy you your getting to hear Dave McKenna play in concert! I've only gotten to know his playing through these UA-cam videos, but he is for me the perfect jazz pianist! His gorgeous tone and rock solid sense of rhythm, and the overall tastefulness of his playing won me over "in a heartbeat."
Excellence personified! So miss him! Just a superb pianist!
Well I've never seen him in person ...so wished I had.
Isn't is wonderful to hear great piano players,...... sitting a bar listening to guys like Dave McKenna bring back so many memories of how many wonderful magical times I've had in my life, how much joy Dave brought to others...thanks for this contribution video ...love it
Dave used to play 6 nights in Seattle in the early 80s...I convinced some players to go hear him. Some were hipsters and said "Yeah, yeah, oh sure..." But when I 'em to show up, they always stayed the whole night. Ha! they LOVED Dave.
Just saw a splendid documentary on Dave last night in Boston at the Copley Plaza. I met him in the late 60’s and was stunned by his mastery. Been listening ever since. Exhilarating!
Thanks for posting all these great Dave McKenna videos. Some of my fondest memories are of seeing Dave perform at various clubs. I really miss those days, but it's nice to be able to relive some of it here.
Wonderful - Thank You
Woonsocket, Rhode Island Legend 😎
Beautiful. Now all other performances don't compare.
Absolutely wonderful musician! Saw him in Providence, RI years ago. My memory of his performance...simply beautiful!
What a great master!.... I'm taking a lesson every time I hear this man.
Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for this video.
So smooth, .. "beautiful set of changes" for sure, and then some.
Una maravilla,un recuerdo a Van Heusen y a De Lange
My piano teacher Tommy Gallant always told me about Dave
As for this video, it's so nice to hear Dave play one of my favorite ballads. Do you know who the interviewer was?
is there anyway that i can get the sheet of this version? so amazing and beautiful~
I would imagine that Dave McKenna played this completely by ear and from memory. I would say no written music is available.