“He can make a piano knit a pair of socks.” Johnny Maddox, Ragtime legend
All-Americana Piano Fireworks – from one of the world’s foremost pianists and historians of vintage American popular music! Be amazed by Gershwin, the Great American Song Book, Blues, Boogie Woogie & Ragtime by ‘Four-Time World Champion Old-Time Piano Player’ ADAM SWANSON making his debut on the Lincoln Hall Steinway on Sunday, July 14 at 2 PM.
With four solo albums & appearances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, Adam’s virtuosity, vast repertoire and program commentary will dazzle! As the ONLY Four-Time World Champion Old-Time Piano Player, Adam’s virtuoso piano pyrotechnics transports audiences back in time while keeping them on the edge of their seats.
A brilliant pianist who loves to entertain audiences, award-winning pianist Adam Swanson will take the audience on a tour through early American popular music. From ragtime and early jazz piano to the blues of W. C. Handy, to the Great American Song Book, Boogie Woogie, the Broadway show music of George Gershwin and a special Gershwin classical medley, join him for a historical tour through American music – as “he can make a piano knit a pair of socks”, per legendary Ragtime pianist Johnny Maddox.
ARCA is grateful for the very generous donation of ARCA Board members Karen and Dan Mortland sponsoring the debut concert of Adam Swanson. Karen also is the RBG Cooperative Artist whose exhibit ‘Mothers and Daughters’ – featuring a hundred years of art from four generations of women in her family – has its opening Red Brick Gallery reception following Adam Swanson’s Lincoln Hall concert.
Tickets – Adults $25 Members $20 Students $5. Call to Reserve: 724-659-3153 or buy online here.
After the concert, enjoy meeting the artist at the Wine & Cheese reception from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Red Brick Gallery and Gift Shop (adjacent to and a short walk from Lincoln Hall) for an art exhibit opening that complements Adam Swanson’s musical tour of a century of American popular music: The exhibit of Red Brick Gallery Cooperative Artist Karen Mortland and her family
MOTHERS & DAUGHTERS
One Family. Four generations of women. 100 years of art.
Ruth Coy, Carolyn Kingman, Annette Kingman, Karen Mortland, Nissa Rappoport
About Adam Swanson
Adam Swanson is a brilliant pianist who loves to entertain audiences. His mentor was the late Johnny Maddox and, like Maddox, he performs ragtime, early standards and obscurities from the Great American Songbook, novelty pieces, and medleys that make one want to sing along. Swanson earned degrees from the Peabody Conservatory, has appeared at many ragtime and jazz festivals, and had previously recorded four solo albums plus collaborations with pianist Frederick Hodges, drummer Danny Coots, singer Ian Whitcomb, and the Peacherine Ragtime Society.
Swanson lives in Durango, Colorado, and has performed at the local Diamond Belle Saloon a countless number of times. An Evening In The Diamond Belle Saloon is a two-CD set that gives one a strong idea what his shows are like. Some of the pianist’s interpretations are purposely dominated by humor and are even a little corny (such as an eccentric version of “The Entertainer,” and “12th Street Rag”) while some others are relatively somber. In most cases Swanson is intent on both having a good time and making his performances fun for the audiences.
He has a huge repertoire which he really displays during medleys of waltzes, World War I songs, tunes from Texas, and numbers from the 1950s, all of which could be used for “name that tune” contests. Swanson comes up with fresh variations of “Maple Leaf Rag,” “Bill Bailey,” a rollicking “Pine Top’s Boogie Woogie,” and “St. Louis Blues,” revives such forgotten numbers as “Cotton Bolls,” “X.L. Rag,” and “The Teddy Bears’ Picnic,” and performs a version of “Frankie and Johnny” that musically acts out the story.
Ragtime and early jazz purists are not the main audience for this batch of honky-tonk piano, but those who like good-time music that is filled with both nostalgia and surprising moments will enjoy Adam Swanson’s spirited solo outing.
Enjoy the RBG Exhibit After the Concert
After the concert, enjoy the Wine & Cheese reception from 4 to 6 PM on Sunday, July 14 at the Red Brick Gallery and Gift Shop in the Upstairs Gallery for the opening of the exhibit:
MOTHERS & DAUGHTERS
One Family. Four generations of women. 100 years of art.
Ruth Coy, Carolyn Kingman, Annette Kingman, Karen Mortland, Nissa Rappoport
The RBG is directly adjacent to and a short walk from Lincoln Hall – located at 17 Main Street, Foxburg.
Plan to make it a day & ENJOY FOXBURG!
Before The Colby’s concert enjoy Foxburg – take a brisk walk in the gorgeous summer afternoon along the Allegheny River trail or rent bicycles or have a scenic pontoon tour on the Allegheny River with Foxburg Tours!
Have lunch or dinner at the Allegheny Grille with seating overlooking the Allegheny River.
Or for more casual fare, at Foxburg Pizza with salads, sandwiches and pizza.
Save time to enjoy a wine tasting or drinks and snacks on the patio of the elegantly remodeled Foxburg Wine Cellars
Savor a gourmet coffee and hand made chocolate – or ice cream and confections, sitting outside at Divani Chocolatier and Barrista.
OR – Have a get-away-weekend and stay over Saturday night in Foxburg in the rustically elegant and remodeled Foxburg Inn – where every room has a view of the river!
or if the Foxburg Inn is sold out for a wedding, stay up the river at Emlenton’s historic bed and breakfast, The Barnard House.
