Jacobs School features ‘40 fingers’ piano concert

Audience members began to trickle in, and the stage crew rushed to test microphones.

Luke Gillespie warmed up on a Steinway piano before the concert began.
 
The “40 Fingers Jazz Piano Concert,” a recital of jazz piano duets and trios, started at 6 p.m. Sunday in the Simon Music Center.

Gillespie, associate professor of music in jazz studies, hosted and played in the concert.

He was joined by Steve Allee, adjunct professor at IUPUI; Phil DeGreg, professor of jazz studies at the University of Cincinnati; and Harry Pickens, jazz pianist and special assistant to the provost for new initiatives at the University of Louisville.

The pianists were accompanied by Jeremy Allen on bass and Steve Houghton on drums.

Nearly 100 people attended and listened to performances of jazz standards, original compositions and some improvisation.

In the absence of sheet music, the pianists fed off each other’s energy during the duets. Frequent eye contact kept them on tempo, despite some performances’ complexities.

“Jazz is the art of the moment,” Gillespie told the crowd. “You never know where it’s going.”

DeGreg, Allen and Houghton played “Triste,” the first trio of the night.
Despite the title, “Triste” is anything but sad. DeGreg’s fingers danced across the piano, accompanied by upbeat drums and a persistent bass.

Gillespie said they tried to mix up the order so no particular pianist played more than two songs in a row. Pianists also rotated to allow for a greater variety of duets.

Pickens and Allee played “How Deep is the Ocean,”  a highlight of the concert.
The duet was smooth and melodic, unlike some other pieces in the performance. Pickens smiled and laughed as he tapped his foot to the beat, keeping himself and Allee in rhythm.

“Pianists don’t normally play together,” Gillespie said. “We play in bands where we’re the only pianist. This is our chance to hang out.”

Gillespie apologized to the crowd before the end of the concert, joking that the piano duets only included 20 fingers.

All four pianists, as well as Allen and Houghton, played Duke Ellington’s “Caravan” for the finale.

Audience members tapped their feet and nodded along to the impressive jazz standard with a heavy rhythm. Each pianist had a chance to solo during the song.

Bloomington resident Carole Holton said her favorite pieces were “Caravan” and “How Deep is the Ocean.”

“We don’t get that much jazz here,” Holton said. “I only wish there were more people in the community interested in jazz.”

Gillespie said the “40 Fingers” concerts were Pickens’s idea. Pickens initially invited the other three musicians to Louisville for a rock and jazz festival in October.

“We had a blast,” Gillespie said. “After that, we decided each one of us would host it.”
Gillespie said people have asked if they would ever take “40 Fingers” on a full tour. He said he would be happy to, if venues are willing to book them.

DeGreg will host the next “40 Fingers” concert in Cincinnati, although the date is to be announced.

“These are dear friends, and they’re fantastic players,” Gillespie said. “We might be having more fun than the audience.”