Happy Hour Piano Series
Each month, the Happy Hour Piano Series offers an eclectic mix of musical genres, showcasing the region’s wealth of talented pianists. Held on the fourth Fridays, from 5 to 7 pm, the piano series extends AMP’s exhibit hours. Admission is $6. A cash/credit bar offers wine, craft and domestic beer, and assorted beverages.
The piano series is supported in part by the Greenberg family.
Dan Ringuette
Winter Holidays Sing-a-Long
December 27 | Doors 5pm | Music 5:30 pm
Celebrate the season! Join us on Friday, December 27 for a festive, all-ages Winter Sing-a-Long led by talented pianist Dan Ringuette. With his extensive background in musical theater and community performances, Dan is the perfect musician to lead an evening of merry melodies. Whether you’re coming to belt out your favorite tunes or just enjoy the cheerful atmosphere, this event is sure to brighten your season. Gather friends and family, and let the music carry you into the New Year!
Natalie Hamilton
Folk & Jazz Piano
January 24 | Doors 5pm | Music 5:30pm
Pianist, singer/songwriter, and producer Natalie Hamilton has been praised in both Rolling Stone and Spin magazines. Her compositions “meld the sophistication of jazz with the timeless intimacy of folk” (Ink 19 magazine). She is known for captivating audiences with her sheer artistry, performing both classic jazz compositions and originals. Natalie’s latest album is Live at the Legacy Theater.
Garnell Curtis
Soulful Pop
February 28 | Doors 5pm | Music 5:30pm
Garnell Curtis is a dynamic pianist known for his improvisational flair and ability to defy categorization. He’s no stranger to jazz, classical, soul, and pop—and you may hear a bit of all of it in a single song. Garnell’s fresh approach creates a sense of spontaneity and exploration. Prepare to experience piano in a way that breaks traditional boundaries.
Noah Baerman
Jazz
March 28 | Doors 5pm | Music 5:30pm
Jazz pianist, composer, author, and educator Noah Baerman has written the book on jazz piano—literally. He’s the author of 9 books on the subject. Noah has also released 10 albums and has appeared on the weekly radio show Piano Jazz on NPR. His personal struggles with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) have given his music a distinctive depth and edge. Themes of overcoming and transcendence are palpable in his playing. His musical collaborators include Wayne Escoffery, Nadje Noordhuis, Linda May Han Oh, Ike Sturm, Jimmy Greene, Robin Eubanks, and Warren Smith.
Past Performances
Pianist Jen Allen at AMP, January 2024
Jen Allen is a member of the prestigious BMI Jazz Composers Workshop and was one of only eight pianists from around the world to be selected to participate in the Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Workshop event at Kennedy Center, in Washington DC. She has performed with such jazz notables as Don Braden, Jimmy Greene, Kendrick Oliver, Sarah Caswell, Camille Thurman, Freddie Hendrix, Nat Reeves, Kris Allen, Ike Sturm, and Antoinette Montague. Her latest album is Sifting Grace.
Listen to Jen at: jenallenmusic.com
Due to illness, Michael Cassavant filled in for Jeff Boratko. Thank you, Cazz! Cazz is a lifelong musician on the verge of becoming a multi-instrumentalist, but for now, is just a piano player. He has spent the bulk of his career teaching piano students between the ages of six and 90 how to and how not to play the piano. About ten-ish years ago, while sitting for an interview with himself, he revealed that it was time to get out and play more in front of live human beings. A woman, and songwriter, Erin Earth, who would become his wife in 2021, agreed by saying, “yes.” He would then figure out how to sing and play at the same time. While not being a player who plays exactly like another pianist, you can hear such influences as Dr. John and Leon Russell.
Dynamic classical pianist Maria Centola, of ensemble InfiniTango fame, played a fusion of classical and tango music. Maria has performed alongside Grammy Award-winning musicians of Argentine tango music. Her unique arrangements and interpretations are fused with Italian, French, 1920s-30s jazz, and Latin rhythms.
T.J. Thompson, of T.J. Thompson Trio, has performed with Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead and was a featured artist on Branford Marsalis’ Jazz Set. He’s been a teacher and performer for more than 25 years, playing the blues, soul, and jazz of New Orleans, Memphis, and more. His albums include Take 2: The Sound of Playing.
Classical pianist Heather Reichgott is deeply interested in rhythm as an emotional element of music. Her repertoire ranges from the Baroque to the present day. She has a special interest in music by women, music from diverse American composers, music for dance, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and new music. Heather has a thriving private Suzuki piano studio and is the Minister of Music at the United Methodist Church of South Hadley, MA. Her recordings include A Musical Feast for Ballet Class and an album of music by contemporary composers, Preludes, Problems & Prayers.
Singer, songwriter, composer, pianist, and educator Isabella Mendes is a top Brazilian and Jazz entertainer in New Haven and Hartford County, CT. Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Isabella has studied with Grammy Award-winning pianist Fabio Torres and Emmy Award-winning vocalist Michal Towber. She is the founder and owner of the private music school IMMusic Studio, where she teaches piano and voice, and is the founder of the Bossa Nova Project, which is inspired by the Bossa Nova movement of the 1960s. The project seeks to replicate that movement’s original intent: to share beautiful music with others to bring people together and bring happiness to the world.
Warren Byrd, born in Hartford, CT, is an Afro-American pianist, composer, vocalist, and percussionist. He has an international touring career, performing with his own groups and with such greats as Archie Shepp, Eddie Henderson, Frank Lacy, Saskia Laroo, Jay Hoggard, Jimmy Green, and Hans Dulfer.
