Bryan Pezzone: Alla Cafe Improvisation

 

Bryan Pezzone

 

Pianist, composer, arranger, Bryan Pezzone was trained in both the classical tradition as well as jazz.  As an improviser with in an eclectic style, one never knows what this great artist will provide. However there is no doubt that it will enlighten, and engage the audience. I once read a quote about another artist that is represented here tonight, which brings to mind Mr. Pezzone.

 

“Those who knew his songs well were always intrigued by the freedom with which he treated the score-he embellished, recomposed, and improvised freely in these settings. Once when the trunk storing their music and concert attire was left behind during a tour, he had to play some of his songs by heart.  Something quite wonderful happened in  "All Fein Gedanken." Already by the third measure he had quite forgotten the accompaniment and he composed a completely new song. The soprano who was sing with him that night  kept up with him, the words fitted perfectly, nobody in the audience suspected a thing, and when they reached the end safe and sound, the singer looked to the right out of the corner of her eye to see his reaction. All she saw was his mouth stretching from ear to ear in one huge grin. Later in the Artists' Room she begged him to write down the new version, but he said, "Oh, I've already totally forgotten it."

(The composer in this case was Richard Strauss.)