Where:
Smoke Jazz & Supper Club
2751 Broadway
NY, NY 10025
When:
Friday & Saturday
October 16th & 17th
8pm, 10pm, 11:30pm shows
"When you think of hard-driving swing, daring expression, sophistication and elegance in artistry, formidable technique and a thunderous sound, there are only a small handful of pianists you think of and one of them is most assuredly ERIC SCOTT REED."
(Artist Bio: http://ericreed.net/biography.php)
Eric Reed will be performing at Smoke Jazz & Supper Club in NYC, October 16th & 17th, as the Thelonious Monk Birthday Tribute. I will have the great privilege and honor to attend one of the shows on this coming Saturday night and I am sure it will be a wonderful time!
I have had the pleasure to get to know Eric, as well as you possibly can, through the social networking site Facebook. And, although I know "cognitively" that he is an amazing artist with a tremendous resume of playing with a great many legendary jazz musicians in the world, I am not overcome by this fanaticism regarding his presence or his music. Don't get me wrong, he is a phenomenal pianist, but to me, he has become a friend...he is just a man with an extraordinary talent. I am more thrilled with the idea that I will finally be able to meet the person, Eric Reed.
There are many things I appreciate about Eric, first and foremost, is his great passion for the Lord, and his unwillingness to yield or compromise his core beliefs and integrity. He speaks with candor and sensitivity, with a heart for education and greater understanding. I believe he endeavors to be like Jesus in every way, bringing people from darkness into the light, through his words and music. I believe it is the way he has chosen to live his life, with Jesus as his foundation, that has caused him to be so wonderfully blessed in his career, and favored in his journey.
I have been personally blessed by his willingness to share his vast musical knowledge, insight, and experiences in jazz. He has opened up my eyes and ears to musicians and their music that I never knew existed, and helped me gain appreciation for jazz that goes beyond the surface expression, 'Wow, that sounds nice.' He has encouraged me to study and research the great history of the music and in turn has broadened the spectrum of my learning. Through this, I have gained a great passion for jazz that will be an eternal love. And for that, I will be forever grateful.
If you have never heard Mr. Eric Reed, I encourage you to visit his website. You will be able to listen to some of his music, read about his experiences, and see where he will be performing next. I guarantee, you will not be disappointed. Mr. Reed is the real deal.
Happy listening!!
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