Ebony & Ivory performed an afternoon concert on Sunday, June 26th at 2:00 p.m. at the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg. Founded in 1965, the Museum is celebrating its fortieth anniversary in 2005. The Museum's chamber music series is one of the finest in the area and presents artists from around the world in the Marly Room, an exquisite, intimate setting for concerts. Thanks to Gale Laubach, Music Coordinator and Assistant to the Director, for arranging this concert, and to Joan Gessler for her warm welcome.

Where can you find Ben Heppner, Herbie Hancock, Alannah Myles, Yo-Yo Ma, Michael Burgess, Bruce Cockburn, Michael Schade, Jane Bunnett, John Pizzarelli and Ebony & Ivory all on the same stage? At TVOntario's signature feature On Stage! Ebony & Ivory taped a performance and interview for On Stage at Studio 2 at Canada's prestigious public television service TVOntario. On Stage delivers informative and entertaining field pieces on the people and productions who are making waves in the arts. For the taping, Andrew and Fred were joined by Tom Hazlitt on Acoustic and Electric Bass and Wilson Laurencin on Drums. In addition to playing two selections from their CD Red Hot! the Duo was interviewed by Studio 2 host Paula Todd. The Ebony & Ivory program will air beginning in September.

"Here's something really different. Ebony & Ivory is clarinetist Fred Jacobowitz and keyboardist Andrew Gilpin. The international duo (US and Canada) entertain all over North America. This CD is compiled from Toronto, Nashville, Los Angeles and New York sessions. As this review is typed, Ebony & Ivory finished the taping of a television show for Ontario's TVO network. Then they are off to St. Petersburg, Florida for a concert at the Museum Of Fine Arts.

"The musicians do not claim that Red Hot! is a jazz album. There aren't enough pigeonholes on anyone's desk to classify the project. Gilpin and Jacobowitz are truly skilled musicians and play in multiple genres. You'll hear classical, ethnic, jazz, pop swing and some beautifully executed ragtime.

"Jazz fans will particularly enjoy the three items closely associated with the Benny Goodman small groups in the 1939-40 Charlie Christian period. While the duo successfully captures the spirit [of the] Goodman Sextet's music, Gilpin and Jacobowitz make no attempt to sound like Johnny Guarnieri and the King of Swing. The tracks benefit from some rhythm work by Tom Hazlitt and Wilson Laurencin.

"The ragtime pieces are both from the pen of Scott Joplin, Maple Leaf Rag and the fascinating Solace (A Mexican Serenade). Both rags are perfectly played in classic ragtime tradition. Andrew Gilpin gets full marks.

"The balance of the eclectic album is exactly that, eclectic. It's a lighthearted and enthusiastic romp through a gumbo of unrelated genres from Hoagy Carmichael's Heart And Soul to the Hebrew Chassidic Dance. This reviewer loved Sonatina written by the contemporary classical composer Joseph Horovitz. It's a tiny gem lasting only three minutes.

"A high percentage of jazz enthusiasts will appreciate the music of this fine duo and their guests. You can hear samples on the artists' website."

WAA Convention

Midwest Arts Conference

Performing Arts Exchange

PERFORMANCE

Amsterdam Area Community Concert Association

PERFORMANCE

Showplace Performance Centre