Piano Starts Here: Music for the Baroness
$7advance/ $10 at the door
The Baroness Pannonica de Koenigswarter was an iconoclast and created a one of a kind narrative in the history of jazz. Born into the Rothschild dynasty in 1913, the Baroness (known to the jazz world simply as Nica) left her husband (a high level French diplomat) and alienated much of her family along with their vast resources to move to New York City shortly after a life changing listening of TheloniousMonk’s “Round Midnight”.
She became a great supporter of Jazz musicians and is remembered by many for taxiing musicians around in her Rolls Royce and hosting late night jam sessions (much to her neighbors chagrin). However, publically she is probably best known for the death of Charlie Parker in her 5th avenue apartment in 1955, made infamous by the NYC press. She is fondly remembered for her long standing care for Thelonious Monk and to her loyalty to Monk, his wife Nellie and their family.
Two important books have been published about the Baroness within the past two years. One by author David Kastin, “Nica’s Dream: The Life and Legend of the Jazz Baroness” and one by her grand-niece Hannah Rothschild, “The Baroness: The Search for Nica The Rebellious Rothschild”.
Tonight’s performance will include four stellar Seattle pianists playing from the repertoire of music composed for the Baroness by a plethora of legendary jazz composers including Sonny Clark, Horace Silver, Thelonious Monk and Freddie Redd.
Piano Starts here has always featured pianists in a solo format. In tonight's performance each pianist will perform with "The Sonny Clark Memorial Sextet", featuring Al Kieth, Craig Flory, Geoff Harper, Andy Roth and Steve Moore
The Piano Starts Here series highlights the work of some of the most prolific and talented composers and pianists to have ever tackled the instrument. Each of the performances brings together Seattle’s finest pianists to perform the works of the artist selected for that evening on the Royal Room’s Steinway B grand piano. Curated by Wayne Horvitz and Tim Kennedy. Hosted by Tim Kennedy.
Please note: tickets do not guarantee a seat to shows at the Royal Room. For sold out shows standing room may be the only available space. Reservations are available for patrons who are planning to have dinner before and during the show.
