MP3 Walt Wagner - PEARLS, Volume 1

A brilliant recording by the Northwest's favorite pianist: clean, warm, relaxed solo piano interpretations of 14 great songs.

14 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Smooth Jazz, POP: Piano



Details:
REVIEWS            Portland Oregonian: "There are not many pianists with whom he can be compared. There are touches of wizardry that remind of jazz and rock, yet he has the technical fluidity of a classical craftsman. There is a charisma about him that generated a standing ovation with the audience yelling for more."

Spokane Spokesman-Review: "Not only is Wagner an extraordinary player, but the easygoing wit and confident delivery of his spoken introductions make him the antithesis of the rotten-brat style of many performers. It's a pleasure to hear him play and watch him work."

St. Louis Globe-Democrat (with Bill Cosby): "One fine performer who knows his keyboard and displays a formidable technique."

Bellevue Daily Journal-American (with Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra): "Wagner was back by popular demand and drew a sellout crowd."

Variety (Harrah's Reno, with Sammy Davis Jr.): "An outstanding talent, Wagner earned enthusiastic encores with brilliant improvising."

PERFORMANCE            Walt Wagner has been featured for two years at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival at University of Idaho, and performed the opening pair of concerts in a new U of I series, "Four Seasons of Jazz". He has performed with Jay Leno, Bill Cosby, Bob Hope, George Burns, Lily Tomlin, Roberta Flack, Sammy Davis, Jr., Bob Newhart, and as pianist-conductor with Peggy Lee. He toured internationally with Peggy Fleming in "A Concert On Ice", and has performed extensively at Sun Valley, Idaho.

RECORDINGS            Released in October, 2004 is PEARLS, VOLUME 1 (Semaphone #79313) - a solo-piano collection of jazz and pop tunes, with Walt's expansive blend of improvisation motivated by respect for the composers' original intent. Other current releases include: THE MIRACLE - FOR PIANO & ORCHESTRA/ RHYTHMS - FOR PIANO, WINDS & PERCUSSION, with Wagner as composer/soloist and Gerard Schwarz conducting The Seattle Symphony Orchestra (Semaphone #79312); and EVEN THERE, a collection of hymns, produced and arranged by Wagner for piano, string quartet, African drums and guitar, featuring vocalist Sue Nixon (Semaphone #70022). (Please see website for more information on recordings.)