Duluth Fine Pianos, LLC - Blog by John Pierce

Help Support JAZZ@DFP!

5/1/2019

Help support JAZZ@DFP!
Send your check made out to:
Zeitgeist Arts (include JAZZ@DFP in the memo line)
222 E. Superior St
Duluth, MN, 55802
Donations made to Zeitgeist Arts/Jazz@DFP are tax deductible. Proceeds will be used to offset the cost of engaging more fabulous guest musicians, and keeping monthly professional jazz performances alive in Downtown Duluth!
Zeitgeist is a nonprofit arts and community development organization, committed to growing and sustaining a community that is inclusive, diverse, and equitable; artistic and vibrant; environmentally conscious; and a place where every individual can thrive. Working in partnership across our region, Zeitgeist connects like-minded organizations and people to collaboratively create programs that make lasting change. JAZZ@DFP is one of these organizations!

JAZZ@DFP with Bob Kase!

4/29/2019

JAZZ@DFP with Bob Kase!

Ryan Frane on piano, joined by Matt Mobley on bass, and renowned trumpet (fluegelhorn) player Bob Kase, gave a great evening of music, including original compositions by Kase on Friday April 26th. Here is a little sample!

Piano Day @ UMD!

3/12/2019

Under the direction of Dr. Asami Hagiwara, Assistant Professor of Piano at UMD, the Division 2 participants are rehearsing their ensemble pieces for the concert later in the afternoon. Getting 8 pianists to play together with a conductor is harder than you might think! Most of these students are not used to following a conductor!

On the stage are two 9' concert grands, and a 6'7" Yamaha S5X, along with scads of upright pianos, mostly Yamahas! These pianos would later be filled with pianists of all ages, college students, teachers, and beginners.

The concert was amazing, with everyone giving their best. Special treats were the Mendelssohn Piano Concerto with Gabrielle Koepke, and a grand finale with Hagiwara and special Guest Artist, Dr. Jacob Ertl, playing Ravel's "La Valse." And extra special was the winner of the Piano Day Raffle, Emily Beaster, who walked away with a brand new Yamaha P-45 piano, courtesy of Yamaha and Duluth Fine Pianos!

DFP also hosted a Discover Yamaha Room, with 7 top-of-the-line instruments to try, including a TransAcoustic U1TA, an NU1X Hybrid, 3 different Clavinovas, and the favorite of the day, a baby grand Disklavier! Many players were amazed to record themselves and then see themselves playing in a video, with keys and pedals moving.

A resounding success, the UMD Annual Piano Day promises to be a great event every year. Congratulations, Dr. Hagiwara!

JAZZ@DFP in February

2/25/2019

On February 22nd from 6-8 pm, coinciding with the Downtown Duluth Art Walk (DDAW), Ryan Frane was joined by Matt Mobley on bass, and special guest star, Dave Schmalenberger on drums for a great evening of live, professional, acoustic jazz! Standing ovation! There's a small taste below. The next JAZZ@DFP event is scheduled for March 29th, and the cast of characters is TBA. The cost of admission is still free, there are light refreshments, good conversation, fine art, and free parking available. What more could you want! Put it on your calendar! These guys covered the gamut of musical styles, emotions, colors and flavors. A real smorgasbord! I can't wait to see who comes in March!

JAZZ@DFP ANNIVERSARY PERFORMANCE!

1/10/2019

January 25th, Ryan Frane, along with Matt Mobley on bass, and for the first time, Tim Stratioti on trombone will join us once again from 5:30-7:30 pm for the next exciting jazz adventure! JAZZ@DFP! continues in the new year! This time, its a 4th Anniversary Special, as Ryan and his trio celebrate their return. Four years ago, they played at our old location for our Grand Opening! Once again, Esther provides the art, DFP provides the refreshments, and, well, you-know-who provides the musical vibes! Admission is STILL FREE! Join us for a great time! Here's a little sample from that evening!

JAZZ@DFP! last time this year!

12/9/2018

Coming December 21st! Live JAZZ@DFP to coincide with the DDAW! Come on down for some great music between 5-8! Sam Chandler will set the mood, playing the Yamaha S5X with his own brand of Holiday joy! Join us for an evening of truly fine music! Free admission and light refreshments, along with the Zentangle Art of Esther Piszczek.

JAZZ@DFP! Who's up This Time?

11/21/2018

Coming November 30th! Live Jazz@DFP to coincide with the DDAW! Come on down for some great music between 6-8! Ryan Frane will be here, joined by Sam Miltich on guitar and Matt Mobley on bass. Join us for an evening of truly fine music! Admission is still free! This could be the start of something big!

JAZZ@DFP!

11/7/2018

JAZZ@DFP! The first concert/open house took place on November 2nd from 6-8, when Ryan Frane, piano, Matt Mobley, bass, and Randy Lee, reeds, played for a rapt audience who also enjoyed just having a drink and a nibble while enjoying the great vibe as we celebrated the Grand Re-Opening of DFP at the new location! The newly opened street in front of the store made everything seem just perfect!
We hope to make JAZZ@DFP! a thing. Look for the next monthly installment to coincide with the Downtown Duluth Art Walk, which occurs the last Friday of every month! (November 30th?). Then you can not only catch some of the greatest live jazz anywhere, but also check out the art of Esther Piszczek, and possibly even meet the artist!

NEW STREET!

10/30/2018

Superior Street is open for traffic, which means, you can park in front of the new showroom! Take the opportunity to try it out this Friday, when DFP celebrates its Grand Re-Opening with a jazz concert, featuring Ryan Frane on the Yamaha S5X Premium Piano, Randy Lee on reeds, and Matt Mobley on bass. Admission is free, and there will be some refreshments! Stop by! If you have not seen the new showroom, this is a great opportunity, and if you have, it will be a great evening of music with the most expensive piano in town in action! I look forward to seeing you there!

1st Monthly Jazz Series Concert!

10/5/2018

On Friday evening, November 2nd, from 6-8 pm, Duluth Fine Pianos will celebrate its Grand Re-Opening, featuring Ryan Frane and Friends in what we hope is the 1st Monthly Jazz Series Concert. He will be creating, using the Yamaha S5X Premier Grand Piano as seen in the picture here! By then, Superior St will be passable again (it is almost complete now!), and the store should be at its most inviting. Come join us for some extraordinary music in a fantastic space, and of course, featuring some fantastic instruments in the hands of fantastic musicians. It's going to be.....GREAT!