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On January 16th, 2021, Piano by Nature will present our first stunning concert of the new year, bringing with it both a sense of renewal and a superabundance of positive energy. In other words, it will be nothing short of inspiring and electrifying! Pianist extraordinaire Joel A. Martin, aka “The Bentley” will return to PBN with a very unusual program of a few original compositions, a little classical, and a LOT of Jazzical. And who knows, there might even be a special guest joining him for the evening…stay tuned! We here at PBN are so fortunate to be able to present this powerhouse pianist who is a consummate performer that continually delights and amazes all who have the good fortune to hear him. And all you have to do is press the link.
On January 16th at 7:00 PM Piano by Nature will present a zoom concert free of charge to all that wish to join us, including a live appearance of Joel A. Martin. All you have to do is sign-up to our email list located on our website pianobynature.org. And if you cannot join us on the 16th, or if you’d like to watch it again, just go to this page and enjoy the link as many times as you like for 2 weeks after the zoom event. We can’t wait to share this special event with you since this concert will be all that is promised and more, and we’d like to encourage you to share the link with friends both near and far. Joel A. Martin is most assuredly someone they should all know about and we’d love to help get the word out!
This Piano by Nature concert was featured in Lake Champlain Weekly on the cover and in the article “This Bentley Still Runs.” Click images to enlarge or read here.
JAZZICAL® is a celebration of creative fusion—it’s the explosive union of classical composition and jazz innovation ignited with a fresh spirit all its own. JAZZICAL® captures the dynamic force of multiple cultures and influences, unleashing a kinetic energy that breaks down boundaries and yields whole new worlds of musical expression.
JAZZICAL® upholds the integrity of both the classical and jazz traditions while creating something new and authentic. No matter the project, classical music is never left at the door—we take it with us!
Joel A. Martin “The Bentley”
Producer, Pianist & Creator of Jazzical
Producer and Performer with The Sonicals Piano Duo
Composer of HIP-OPERA
Producer of Footsteps of Peace (www.footstepsofpeace.com)
JOEL A.MARTIN (The Bentley) is the creator of Jazzical®, a marriage of classical and jazz. Through Jazzical he has collaborated with and/or written music for Grammy® Award-winners Kathleen Battle, Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas, Brooklyn Youth Chorus, cellist Eugene Friesen of the Paul Winter Consort, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jaimoe of the Allman Brothers. He has produced and played on critically acclaimed CDs by Brazilian jazz master Paul Lieberman, gospel jazz singer Jolie Rocke Brown, among many other artists.
At 17 Joel was the youngest pianist ever, and the first African American pianist, to compete in the 1985 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. He has appeared as soloist with the NY Philharmonic, El Paso Symphony, Springfield Symphony Orchestra (MA), Philadelphia Orchestra, Cab Calloway Orchestra, New Hampshire Festival Orchestra, and the Hartford Symphony.
Joel’s 7th Jazzical® CD, Jazzical Meets Menken, released in Oct. 2013 at NYC’s famed Birdland, honored multiple Oscar/Grammy/Tony Award-winning Disney/Broadway composer Alan Menken (Aladdin, Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors, Enchanted, Pocahontas). With Broadway legends Liz Callaway, Amanda McBroom, Christine Pedi, & the Gay Men’s Chorus of LA, Jazzical Meets Menken features 12 Menken songs and two world premieres.
On July 18, 2014, Joel produced Footsteps of Mandela, an all-star tribute to Nelson Mandela at NYC’s Riverside Church. It was the capstone event of International Mandela Day celebrations following Mandela’s passing. In Jan 2015 Footsteps of Mandela was brought to Bridgeport CT for a packed audience of 1000 people.
March 6, 2016, heralded Joel’s new Footsteps of Peace concert event in West Palm Beach with an all-star cast promoting peace and reconciliation in our communities.
Watch more examples here: https://www.youtube.com/user/JazzicalJoelMartin
