Lincoln Land Concert Association presents:
Stride Piano—stories and songs with Paul Asaro

[October 31, 2016]   LINCOLN - Paul Asaro, spectacular Stride Pianist, brings his unique piano style, his stories and his songs to the stage of the Hargrove Chapel Auditorium at Lincoln Christian University on Tuesday, November 1, under the sponsorship of the Lincoln Land Concert Association. The curtain will rise and the spotlight will shine on Paul and the piano at 7 p.m.

A resident of Champaign, Illinois, Paul Asaro is known as one of the finest of a select group of pianists who still perform the demanding, two-handed piano styles from the first half of the 20th Century. The “stride piano” of James P. Johnson, Willie “The Lion” Smith and Fats Waller; the New Orleans style of Jelly Roll Morton; the ragtime of Scott Joplin and Eubie Blake; stomps, boogie-woogie and swing--Asaro plays them all with a fine ear for detail, blending the elements into his own personal style.

Paul performs at jazz and ragtime festivals, clubs and theaters worldwide and has appeared onstage with musical legends such as Leon Redbone, Steve Allen, Marian McPartland, Orange Kellin and others. He was featured as “The Professor” in the award winning Broadway production and national tour of Jelly Roll! The Music and the Man, performing alongside the show’s creator and star Vernel Bagneris. Paul has had long runs as house pianist aboard the legendary New Orleans steamboat Delta Queen and numerous other interesting gigs.

Some of the familiar tunes you will hear in this performance by Paul Asaro: Your Feets Too Big – Fats Waller; Maple Leaf Rag – Scott Joplin; Write Myself A Letter- Jelly Roll Morton; Caravan – Duke Ellington and Carolina Shout – James P. Johnson.

Admission to the concert is included as part of the season subscriber membership to the Concert Association series. Single admission tickets may be purchased via the LLCA website (http://lincolnlandconcerts.org) or at the door the evening of the concert.

See the LLCA website for further details and a video preview of this unique and delightful concert evening!

[Elaine Knight]