Welcome!
Hope this finds you well, and that your
Easter holiday was meaningful and enjoyable. As we
move now deeper into the Spring things often get
busier (or seem to, at least), and that is
certainly true with the musician's schedule. I am
grateful to have continued, and expanding
opportunities to share with you: in live
performances as well as radio show and video
postings, and now, instructional articles and
video. Read all about
it... |
| Joe's Concert
Schedule |
|
SUNDAY 4/19: 6pm
Joe performs
hymns, Christian songs, and jazz piano in concert
at the Newark Church of the Nazarene, Newark
De.
Joe returns to First Church
for an improvised concert of familiar hymns and
songs, as well as jazz standards, and
demonstrations of improv. A warm and friendly
setting.
THURSDAY 5/7 -
7pm
Solo piano entertainment concert
- featuring jazz and popular standards, at the
Philadelphia Protestant Home , Philadelphia, Pa
for info (215)697-8564
Joe has performed
in concert for the Phila. Protestant Home
retirement residents and surrounding community
every other month since 1994 (over 85
performances)! This event is like one big family,
where Joe shares personal and family stories, and
presents a solo piano concert. Unique among Joe's
"venues", this program is an opportunity to enjoy
a warm and friendly evening.
SUNDAY 5/17: 6pm
Joe performs
in concert at the New Castle Presbyterian Church,
New Castle, DE
Joe performs for the
first time, at this historic church. An improvised
program of Christian hymns and songs, jazz/popular
standards, and demonstrations of improvisation. A
casual, and fun evening
THURSDAY 5/21 - 2pm
Joe
performs in concert: "Piano Improvisations" at the
Downs Cultural Center, Wilmington,
DE
Joe returns to the Downs center
for a wholly improvised piano concert with a
varied palate of familiar melodies, and, perhaps,
a surprise or two. Downs center performances are
open to the public, with no admission charge.
Reservations are requested. (302)-575-0250
x2244
see the
schedule |
| From the Comment Box |
You must start learning piano at
like 5 year old to play like this right?
I just wish I would
have been there at the Church Hill Theatre. I
think it was a evening with a top artist playing
that piano. RESPECT!
You always have unusual answers to common
questions, musically. I really love your playing.
Yet another superb
pianist-is there an inexhaustible supply of them
in the US? Wonderful music. Thank you Mr.Holt
Now, THAT was FUN ..
to which I
replied:
Fun is why we do it! What
other good reason/excuse is there to be in this
business? :)
|
| Audio/Video |
| Featured new
videos for April, 2009:
YouTube featured performance video:
YouTube featured performance playlist:
YouTube featured instructional video:
Joe Holt's Notes on the Radio" continues on
840am WKDI, Denton, MD Saturdays @ 5pm, and
Sundays @ 2pm. Join me as I play the piano for
you, and share thoughts about music and it's
makings.
|
| News |
Fall and winter concerts are
scheduling now. Look for Joe to return to
familiar venues, as well as "initiate" some new
ones. Among the 'familiar', look for Joe's return
to the Mainstay (possibly this fall) for a solo
performance. Also planned are concerts at the
Prince Theatre (Joe accompanies John Schratwieser
and Melissa McGlynn), and a December weekend trip
to New England. Check often with the schedule as
these and others are posted.
As of "press time", the final
"verdict" is still out on the start of Sunday
Brunch gigs at the Peacock Restaurant and
Lounge, in Easton, MD. If,
indeed, we are moving forward, it should appear on
the schedule within a week from the
publishing of this newsletter.
|
| From the Journal |
|
Yesterday morning I had the
privilege of being the invited guest for the
dedication of the newly acquired piano at the
Melwood Church of the Nazarene, in Upper Marlboro,
MD. Doesn't sound like the name of a town that
sits just outside the Washington, DC beltway, and
a neighbor to Andrews Air Force Base, does it
(must be the Marlboro part)? Though I live in the
very rural Eastern Shore of MD, 30 miles from any
town of more than 5,000 people, I'm actually only
about an hour and a half (or less) from several
metropolitan areas, including (much of) greater
DC. My connection with this church is largely
through my personal connection with the pastor,
John Nielson. When you sift it down, it all rests
on relationships. Performing mainly as a soloist
now, the relationship with an audience is more
clearly in view. Continue to feel I am on a called
path
| |
Thanks for your continued
interest!
Blessings and
awareness,
Joe | | |
| Lessons for
the Thoughtful Pianist |
| The following is excerpted
from Lesson B1: "Tension and
Relaxation" |
|
In this lesson, you will be
introduced to some detailed concepts, but for a
larger purpose. This purpose is for you to begin
seeing (hearing, and understanding) tension and
release as the engine that fuels all movement in
music. Often subtle, but always present. Though
you may not identify it as such, the engine of
increasing tension; necessitating, at some point,
resolution, propels not only music, but (arguably)
all of life. Questions like: "How regularly would
you eat a meal (resolution) if you never became
hungry (tension), or how reliable would a grade
school student be at homework if the work were
never due?" will hopefully suffice to make the
point. In these (and all other) examples, a series
of events and/or circumstances work to create an
environment that necessitates movement, or, the
resolution of the building tension. Perhaps you
can already sense that, although the overall
concept is simple, it's application (particularly
in music) can create layer upon layer of seemingly
complex structure. Don't be overwhelmed by this
apparent complexity of harmonic (harmony, chords,
progressions...) theory. It isn't complicated at
all if you understand that it all comes back to
the same thing: tension and release. Trust me. As
I often say: " I overwhelm easily. If this (music
making) were complicated I'd be stuck in the mud
at the starting gate".
So let's begin
simply...
Want to see, hear, and
read more?
Listen - to Joe
Holt's Notes on the Radio. Each week, Joe devotes
a portion of the program to sharing his thoughts
on making music.
Read - Lessons for
the Thoughtful Pianist.
Downloadable lessons available
by subscription
Watch - Video on
the new Lessons For the Thoughtful Pianist YouTube
channel.
|
| Joe
Holt's Notes
Merchandise |
See the
complete
collection |
| |
