For our 15th Season, Piano by Nature is offering an impressive line-up of familiar artists, with, as always, some exciting premiere musical talents. New to our series this year is the stunning Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir and the unique soundscape pianist Ben Cosgrove, who we eagerly look forward to welcoming to our PBN stage in the Spring. Returning musicians Alisa Endsley, Taylor Haskins, and Mark Shilansky will grace our PBN stage throughout the season, giving audiences familiar connections to their extraordinary talents while also captivating us with ever-evolving artistry. All of this season’s musicians have extraordinary talents which are the ‘gems’ that we as an audience look forward to hearing and experiencing. This season, Piano by Nature would like to explore more of what lies beneath the surface for these individuals—the ‘hidden treasure.’ We will be putting a lens to the backgrounds and experiences each artist believes most profoundly shaped them and their art, and we will, like always, share every bit of it with our online and in-person audience. We look forward to yet another amazing season of terrific music and ask that you please join us to support and once again celebrate live music in the North Country!
The Concert Lineup
Two Incredible Live Concerts
THANK YOU, MR. AMES: A Tribute To The Late, Great Russell Ames
Saturday, November 12, 2022
Special Black-Tie Affair with cocktails & canapés at 6PM, concert at 7PM
Sunday, November 13, 2022
Regular afternoon concert beginning at 3PM
To quote Westport’s Russel Ames “there is such a lot of world to see.” We believe this phrase totally encapsulates our incredible November 12/13 opening concerts. Join Piano by Nature for a totally unique concert experience that will include beautiful and heart-felt music, stories to make you laugh and cry, a necessary bit of irreverence, and incredible outpourings of love and affection for a very special man admired by all.
In conjunction with this set of concerts, Piano by Nature is continuing our fund drive to pay for the purchase and restoration of Russell Ames much-loved 7-foot Steinway, already in place at the Hand House. The Saturday night concert—in honor of Russell—will be a black-tie affair, replete with gowns, fashionable canapés, wine, sweets, and loads of witty conversation. A silent wine auction of a number of stunning vintage wines will be the prelude to the concert at 6PM, followed by a variety of stories and delightful musical selections from Alisa Endsley, Jennifer Moore, Rose Chancler, Amy Nelson, Hans Himmelein, and more at 7PM, concluding with a most-boisterous and joyful bout of audience participation the likes yet unheard in the Hand House.
The Sunday Concert on Nov. 13th will still include ALL of the glorious stories, music, and singing, but will recognize a return to normalcy including comfy clothes and shoes, and even slippers if you like!
Don’t miss these very special events and check the website for lots more details arriving soon!
Wednesday, December 21, 2022—One Day Only!
Ancient Rhythms
A Concert Honoring the Solstice with Taylor and Felix Haskins
Hailed by Downbeat magazine for his “adroit lyricism and gift for complex, imaginative composition,” composer, trumpeter, and synthesist Taylor Haskins is a musical artist who has distinguished himself as a leader of groundbreaking ensembles as well as a venturesome composer and producer of soundtracks for film and television. Piano by Nature is overjoyed to have Taylor return to our stage, and cannot wait to see what he and his son Felix will bring to this very special celebration of the Solstice.
February 11 & 12, 2023
The Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir with Dexter L. Criss and Andrea D. Ogle
The Key’d Up Gospel Experience: An Intimate Concert of Piano, Rhythms, Ballads and Spirituals
The Plattsburgh State Gospel Choir (PSGC) was organized in 1991 by students and has constantly emphasized the breadth and depth of gospel music in order to expose both SUNY Plattsburgh and the North Country to this unique American genre. The choir fuses traditional gospel, urban gospel, contemporary Christian music, European harmonies, Caribbean and Afrocentric rhythms and overtones, and it provides opportunities for Plattsburgh State students, alumni, faculty, staff, and persons from the local community to sing music from the gospel music traditions. Piano by Nature is thrilled to have this incredible local gem in our midst, and we look forward to presenting two unforgettable concert experiences of profound ‘unity through song and harmony through people.’
April 1 & 2, 2023
The Mark Shilansky Trio with Special Guest Taylor Haskins
Quintessential Jazz
Expect no less than stunning from this set of concerts! Brilliant jazz pianist and overall human inspiration Mark Shilansky will return to Piano by Nature flanked by colleagues from Boston’s Berklee School of Music and Westport’s incredible Taylor Haskins. The concerts will be focused on the “classics” that most influenced them, including jazz greats Herbie Hancock, Freddie Hubbard, James Williams, and more. It will also be a poignant reunion for these colleagues and friends, who will be sharing a joyous reconnect after the long, covid-influenced separation. PBN is so fortunate to have Mark return with yet another wonderful synthesis of highly-talented musicians performing first-class and truly original music. We cannot wait!
May 14, 2023
PBN’s 2nd Annual CODA Concert
A concert celebrating our North Country school-age musicians
June 3 & 4, 2023
Piano IN Nature
Pianist Ben Cosgrove is a traveling composer and pianist whose “compelling and beautiful” instrumental music explores themes of landscape, place, and environment. He has collaborated with national parks, oceanographic institutes, wilderness guides, NASA, and other institutions, and he has performed live in every state except for Delaware. He’ll be coming to the Adirondacks to play music from across his four studio albums, in both a traditional and a non-traditional setting! Stay Tuned for more exciting updates, and while you wait, enjoy some of his incredible artistry at bencosgrove.com.