News
Two New Interviews to Check out
Hi folks,
I recently appeared on the “JazzPianoSkills” podcast with Dr. Bob Lawrence. We talked about what it was like for me to take lessons recently, what I consider essential exercises for jazz pianists, and how a classical pianist can begin to start exploring jazz. You can download the episode here.
Then, I was interviewed by Josh Walsh of jazz-library.com for his “Master’s Series.” Josh had me play a spontaneous version of “Moon River” and we talked about how pianists can grow beyond formulas into feeling creative ownership of their performances. Check out the video below.
“Songs You Know” Video Series Coming December 15
Subscribe to my Youtube channel to see the “Songs You Know” video series, with one video each day featuring a my solo piano version of a popular song like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Yesterday,” “Girl with the Flaxen Hair,” and “The Girl from Ipanema.” More information coming soon!
Related show
Piano Stories on Stage Coming Up November 13
Join Jeremy for “Piano Stories on Stage,” a unique performance experience that combines high-quality pre-recorded performance videos with live commentary and audience interaction.
Jeremy will be perform “Songs You Know,” – a whole slate of universally-known classics like “Girl from Ipanema,” “Imagine,” “The Girl with the Flaxen Hair,” “Yesterday,” “Take Five,” and more.
Register here: https://claviercompanion.com/piano-stories
“Remote Live” Duo Concert with Christine Guter
Siskind & Housewarming Project win CMA Grant!
Out of more than 300 applicants, the Housewarming Project was chosen as a grant recipient for Chamber Music America’s “New Jazz Works” program.
The grant, which covers the composition, performance, and recording of a new substantial piece of music, totals about $30,000.
This grant represents a huge professional accolade for our little ensemble. Although we’ve stayed scrappy – playing house concerts, funding our own recordings, touring many miles in my Prius – we are anxious to have our music more widely heard. The grant is a validation of the music we’ve made and presents an opportunity to gain exposure to a wider audience.
Stay tuned for some new music from the Housewarming Project in 2021!
Learn more about CMA’s New Jazz Works grant and view the list of winners here.
Famed Chicago Critic Howard Reich Calls Impressions of Debussy “Alluring”
In a recent review, the Chicago Tribune called Impressions of Debussy one the 8 most “alluring” classical recordings of 2020. Reviewer Howard Reich writes,
“Debussy’s Preludes stand as milestones in the piano repertory and, of course, have been copiously recorded. This album goes a step further, with Sims playing select preludes as written, her readings followed by reimaginings of the same works by soprano saxophonist Andrew Rathbun and pianist Jeremy Siskind. Revelations abound, not only via Sim’s finely wrought interpretations of the originals but in Rathbun’s and Siskind’s improvisations on them. In each instance, the listener travels from a high-toned performance of a familiar work to a new conception that opens up its motifs, rhythms and harmonies. All of which underscores Debussy’s enduring value to the worlds of both classical and jazz performance. (Centaur Records)”
Read about all 8 “alluring” works here.
Perpetual Motion Etudes Review in “The Piano Magazine”
Thanks to reviewer (and great composer!) Jason Sifford for capturing my etudes beautifully in the latest issue of The Piano Magazine. Incidentally, I also had my first ever “Questions and Answers” column in The Piano Magazine! (But you’re going to have to subscribe to read that)
He calls the etudes a “a unique, important, and valuable contribution to the pianist’s art.”
Read the review below:
American Music Teacher magazine reviews “Perpetual Motion Etudes”
Big thanks to “American Music Teacher” magazine and review Leonidas Lagrimas for a lovely review of “Perpetual Motion Etudes.”
New Four-Page Feature on Jeremy & Perpetual Motion
Raul da Gama has written a beautiful feature on Jeremy’s music for his blog. It dives deep into the At Home/At Play videos, Jeremy’s Yamaha upbringing, and the Perpetual Motion etudes. Read it here.
Mr. da Gama writes:
“The vivid imagery of his work certainly testifies to unbridled thinking and development of ideas. In each of the works he positions himself at creative loggerheads with all protocols –both age-old and contemporary – which dictate how piano études ought to work. By actively throwing overboard melodic, structural and harmonic hooks that have become expressively blunted through overuse, Mr Siskind builds from what might – or might not – be left behind in his progressive quest.”
Perpetual Motion Etudes Out Now! (Tour Postponed)
Hi there! I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy in these trying times.
The good news is that my album and book, Perpetual Motion Etudes for Piano, has been officially released along with all videos of the etudes.
- Click here to find the album on your favorite streaming service.
- Click here to purchase a copy of the book.
- And click here to go to the Youtube video series.
The bad news is that, like so many events in this period, all of the release concerts with Angelin Chang were postponed, including the concert at Carnegie Hall. As soon as these are rescheduled (and hopefully it will be very soon!) I’ll share that information here.
I’m taking this moment to relax and regroup and also to launch some new, exciting projects which you’ll be hearing about shortly.
Thanks for your support of my music. Heres hoping will convene and enjoy music together again in better times soon.
– Jeremy