American jazz pianist and virtuoso will be honored in a local musical titled "Art Tatum: Piano Starts Here" this upcoming month.
N.C. Central University graduate Trevor Johnson will have the pleasure of taking up the only acting role of Doc Hanley, a fictitious character who closes his Harlem night club after the death of his friend, legendary jazz pianist Art Tatum in 1956.
American jazz commentator Scott Yanow noted Tatum to have "quick reflexes and boundless imagination" that kept his "improvisations filled with fresh (and sometimes futuristic) ideas" ahead of his colleagues."
Despite giving honor to one of the greatest pianist of all time, audience are in for a treat as state-of-the-art technology will present them with Re-Performances® of over a dozen of Tatum's most renowned songs.
Vice President and Executive Producer of Zenph Jeff McIntyre says that he "often hear[s] the audience gasp when they first hear the piano."
McIntyre is also the show's producer and co-writer.
Director of the show, Jay O'Berski, admits that he expected "cold and mechanical" music to be produced by the Zenph piano. However, he deems the Re-Performances® to be "rich, warm and organic."
Unfamiliar with Tatum's work before hand, NCCU graduate Johnson says "in the world of Jazz, [Tatum] would be on Mount Rushmore," and claims that the Zenph Re-Performances® are "the closest thing we have to time travel."
"Art Tatum: Piano Starts Here" will run Dec. 8-19 at the Kennedy theatre in Raleigh.
Tickets are available now for $35 each at the Progress Energy Center Box Office and online through TicketMaster.com.
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