Lessons for the Thoughtful Pianist now available

It's been a long road, to this point. Charie', now in college, was in elementary school when the Joe Holt's Notes (the original use for this title) subscription series was churning out mini-lessons in my initial attempt to get ideas on paper, and reach an audience of those to whom I could be helpful in learning and discovery. Back then, I didn't even type, let alone use a computer, so when I faced a point of having to write, produce, and administer this by myself, I was forced to put it down. In recent years, having become (slightly) more functional with things technological, I've been working on the best way to get this back up and running. In the process, the possibilities of digging deeper, and reaching farther have been opening up. Never one to shy away from the grand vision, a new "delivery system" has been put in place to allow depth of presentation, ease of access, and a broad reach to those interested in taking the journey with me. As before (in the original "Joe Holt's Notes"), this series is designed to make the lessons available as I write them (in a much more expansive and comprehensive form), allowing a breathing, evolving series to live on for (hopefully) a long time. If you are interested in playing the piano, at whatever level and angle of view you currently stand, you are invited to take the journey along with me. Click here for the Lessons for the Thoughtful Pianist video channel. Click here for the lesson blog.   

Joe to perform "Spontaneous Joy" at the Darlington Arts Center

On Saturday March 5, at 8pm, I'm looking forward to presenting my concert of musical improvisation  in Garnet Valley PA, at the Darlington Arts Center. Thanks to Bill Wallace of the Tri State Jazz Society (where I will perform a stride piano based program 6 days before) for making this connection. It going to be a casual coffeehouse atmosphere, with an open mic opportunity before the concert (at 7:30pm). Join us!

Joe accompanies for 2011 "Women Helping Women", at the Prince

Women Helping Women is a wonderful effort to support the work or Dr Maria Boria. The annual performance, at the Prince Theatre, features top local artists, and the full support of the community (in other words, reserve early, if you want a seat). As I love accompanying, I'm always glad to get the call. Steve Payne (sound engineer) posted this video last year of Melissa McGlynn's performance of "Natural Woman". Extra fun for me, as I seldom perform in this vein. You'll get a sense, from this video, that the show is not only a noble effort, but also a good time. This year's event is scheduled for May 11, at the Prince Theatre, in Chestertown, MD. Click here for an article about last year's Women Helping Women.

Transcription of "Sunny Side of the Street" posted

For anyone who plays the piano (and reads music), Ian Pallister has posted a transcription of a video post of "Sunny Side of the Street", from a nursing home performance in 2007. Transcribing is not one of my "gifts" (takes me forever), so I'm grateful to Ian for putting this out there. The video above is the performance behind the transcription. click here for the sheet music.