TISHOMINGO BLUES | Max Keenlyside, piano

"Tishomingo Blues" is a great old standard by Spencer Williams. I first heard it on a 1960s bootleg recording of the Queen City Jazz Band -- a fantastic group that was joined for the occasion by pianist Don Ewell. Ewell had spent years working as a pianist in New Orleans, and the city had saturated his piano sound: whining blue notes; driving, stomping rhythm that refused to quit; and an endlessly-inventive flair for improvisation. In this this performance I try to convey a bit of that same spirit -- hope you enjoy! P.S. -- ten points to whoever gets the reference I make at the end!! Hint: I threw some Harlem in for good measure.