JoAnne Brackeen – Dynamic Excellence in the Fazioli Salon at Klavierhaus

By Ellen L Gilmer
Journalist-Correspondent, IPA

JoAnne Brackeen’s dynamic performance on the Fazioli piano in the small, intimate Salon at Klavierhaus in Manhattan hosted by founders Jim and Genevieve Luce on a past crisp November night was at once a generous display of the virtuosity and brilliance of this highly accomplished female jazz pianist—a uniquely talented, innovative and masterful musician at the very top level of achievement as pianist, composer and educator—and a radiant and exhilarating experience of sheer joy to the favored ear of the audience. The selections she played ranged from Irving Berlin’s romantic ‘How Deep Is the Ocean’ and wistful ‘What’ll I Do’ to the soulful ‘Alone Together’ by Ray Charles and JoAnne’s own ingenious tunes, ‘Picasso’ and ‘Haiti-B.’

JoAnne’s complete and artful command of the keyboard, her impeccable technique, her flawless art of counterpoint combined with genius touch-strokes of color, form, timbre and nuance lend enhancement to qualities descriptive and definitive of the Fazioli piano—its powerful, clear tones; mellow richness of sound; brilliance of balance between treble and bass; and its impressive dynamic range and harmonic opulence.