Mark Birnbaum TOP HAT Pianist - Ragtime & Jazz Piano
Mark Birnbaum hits the keys in full regalia!
AS THE TOP HAT COMES BACK INTO FASHION!
AS THE TOP HAT COMES BACK INTO FASHION!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Top Hat Cane Mark Birnbaum Piano
one-of-a-kind jacket design alongside top hat and cane -
a few months ago - -
a few months ago - -
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Mark Birnbaum, Pianist with Top Hat & Cane
this is a painting entitled 'Eccentric Spartan Extravagance" - permanently on display at Ye Olde Carton Arms Hotel - NYC -
Mark Birnbaum, Doctor of Musical Arts,
Pianist and fashion plate....amongst other things........
Mark Birnbaum, Doctor of Musical Arts,
Pianist and fashion plate....amongst other things........
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Painting of Mark Birnbaum Pianist w/ Mad Hatter Top Hat
Eccentric Spartan Extravagance-Mark Birnbaum
June 10, 2009 by ragtimemarkbirnbaum
From the Andre van der Kerkhoff painting -
featuring Mad Hatter Top Hat -
permanently on display at ye olde carlton arms hotel in nyc-
gallery and studio by Ed McCormack has review of the artistTuesday, June 9, 2009
Hot Piano! Ragtime Mark Birnbaum CD reviews
MARK BIRNBAUM: Hot Piano! Ragtime Blues Jazz Classical
Hot Piano! Ragtime Blues Jazz Classical Mark Birnbaum
1 California Here I Come (Desylva/Meyer)
2 Buddy Bolden's Blues (Jelly Roll Morton)
3 Solace (Scott Joplin)
4 Darktown Strutters Ball (Shelton Brooks)
5 Tiger Rag (Traditional, Morton)
6 Sophisticated Lady (Duke Ellington)
7 Shreveport Stomp (Jelly Roll Morton)
8 Rhapsody In Blue (Geroge Gershwin)
9 Sheik Of Araby (Snyder/Smith)
10 My Blue Heaven (Donaldson/Whiting)
11 Alabama Bound Blues (Traditional - Morton)
12 Trickeration (For Cab Calloway) (Harold Arden)
13 Child Of The Stars (Mark Birnbaum)
14 The Fun House (Mark Birnbaum)
15 King Porter Stomp (Jelly Roll Morton)
16 Funeral March (Alexander Scriabin)
17 Kansas City Stomp (Jelly Roll Morton)
18 Reverie (Claude Debussy)
19 Kitten On The Keys (Zez Confrey)
20 An American Dream (Mark Birnbaum)
21 Scott Joplin's New Rag (Scott Joplin)
22 Bergamasque Prelude (Claude DrBussy)
23 Sonata #10 (Alexander Scraibin)
24 Child Of The Earth (Mark Birnbaum)
EJAZZNEWS 2005
CD Reviews: Mark Birnbaum..Hot Piano..Self Produced 2003 Posted by: Adminon Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 12:00 AM
By John Gilbert
I admire any musical artist that has command of their instrument and
Mark Birnbaum is a prime example of that
Birnbaum runs the gamut of ragtime, blues, classical and jazz with the
ease of a seasoned performer.
"California Here I Come" rips along like the roadrunner on steroids.
Pure excitement abounds as Mark Birnbaum's flying fingers bring us back
to another time when music was a joy to listen to instead of a chore.
Ragtime reigns supreme.
"Dark Town Strutter's Ball" is a case study in toe tapping rhythm as
Birnbaum struts jauntily through this tune.cocksure and confident.
Another funfilled 2 minutes and thirty six seconds of pianistic
dexterity.
"Tiger Rag" There is no holding this tiger back as the fastest tune this
writer has ever heard is smoked across the keyboard.
Changing gears, Mark Birnbaum salutes Duke Ellington with
"Sophisticated Lady" and displays an Ellingtonian style which is a
complete departure from the aforementioned modus operandi. This song is
soulfully rendered in Duke's svelte machinations.
Now departure is departure in the true sense as Claude Debussy enters
the picture. Birnbaum's interpretation of "Bergamasque Prelude" allows
this fine pianist to exhibit his formal side to the nth. degree.
Versatility, thy name is Birnbaum.
5 STARS
info at cd baby - or Ragtime Mark Birnbaum website
Visit California Coast Jazz At:
http://community-2.webtv.net/johnnyjazz/johnnyjazzsjazzpage
Issue 042 - December 2005 Artist: Mark Birnbaum
JAZZ VIEWS CD REVIEW
Title: Hot Piano! Ragtime, Blues, Jazz, Classical
Mark Birnbaum (solo piano)
Recorded 2000-2003
Anyone who knows me knows I am not too crazy about solo piano so they hand me a CD of 77 minutes of same to review but, shock, horror! it’s a delight. This is a nicely varied programme and well-played by Mark Birnbaum who is a new name to me but I will look out for him in future. There are two compositions of Scott Joplin, namely ‘Scott Joplin’s New Rag’ and ‘Solace’ which is just about my favourite Joplin piece and is played here with proper love and respect by Mr Birnbaum. No solo piano album would be complete without something by Jelly Roll Morton and here we have no less than six if we count ‘Tiger Rag’ which it gives here as by Morton. The classic side is represented by two compositions by Debussy and two by Alexander Scriabin, one of which is ‘The Funeral March’. Music for all occasions? He also plays Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ which comes in at over nine minutes and I am sure the composer would have approved this version. Novelty ragtime is represented by Zez Confrey’s ‘Kitten on the Keys’ and Tin Pan Alley by ‘Darktown Strutters Ball’, ‘Sheik of Araby’ and ‘My Blue Heaven’. There is also Duke Ellington’s ’Sophisticated Lady’ and something by Harold Arlen called ‘Trickeration’. The set is completed by four original compositions by Mark Birnbaum none of which really sets the woods on fire. A mixed bag then of which I feel that Morton and Joplin numbers come off best – but that could be me showing my age. Finally, mention of Scott Joplin enables me to put in a plug for the Scott Joplin House in St. Louis. It is a little off the tourist track but is well worth a visit.
Lawrence Marshall
Hot Piano! Ragtime Blues Jazz Classical Mark Birnbaum
1 California Here I Come (Desylva/Meyer)
2 Buddy Bolden's Blues (Jelly Roll Morton)
3 Solace (Scott Joplin)
4 Darktown Strutters Ball (Shelton Brooks)
5 Tiger Rag (Traditional, Morton)
6 Sophisticated Lady (Duke Ellington)
7 Shreveport Stomp (Jelly Roll Morton)
8 Rhapsody In Blue (Geroge Gershwin)
9 Sheik Of Araby (Snyder/Smith)
10 My Blue Heaven (Donaldson/Whiting)
11 Alabama Bound Blues (Traditional - Morton)
12 Trickeration (For Cab Calloway) (Harold Arden)
13 Child Of The Stars (Mark Birnbaum)
14 The Fun House (Mark Birnbaum)
15 King Porter Stomp (Jelly Roll Morton)
16 Funeral March (Alexander Scriabin)
17 Kansas City Stomp (Jelly Roll Morton)
18 Reverie (Claude Debussy)
19 Kitten On The Keys (Zez Confrey)
20 An American Dream (Mark Birnbaum)
21 Scott Joplin's New Rag (Scott Joplin)
22 Bergamasque Prelude (Claude DrBussy)
23 Sonata #10 (Alexander Scraibin)
24 Child Of The Earth (Mark Birnbaum)
EJAZZNEWS 2005
CD Reviews: Mark Birnbaum..Hot Piano..Self Produced 2003 Posted by: Adminon Tuesday, May 17, 2005 - 12:00 AM
By John Gilbert
I admire any musical artist that has command of their instrument and
Mark Birnbaum is a prime example of that
Birnbaum runs the gamut of ragtime, blues, classical and jazz with the
ease of a seasoned performer.
"California Here I Come" rips along like the roadrunner on steroids.
Pure excitement abounds as Mark Birnbaum's flying fingers bring us back
to another time when music was a joy to listen to instead of a chore.
Ragtime reigns supreme.
"Dark Town Strutter's Ball" is a case study in toe tapping rhythm as
Birnbaum struts jauntily through this tune.cocksure and confident.
Another funfilled 2 minutes and thirty six seconds of pianistic
dexterity.
"Tiger Rag" There is no holding this tiger back as the fastest tune this
writer has ever heard is smoked across the keyboard.
Changing gears, Mark Birnbaum salutes Duke Ellington with
"Sophisticated Lady" and displays an Ellingtonian style which is a
complete departure from the aforementioned modus operandi. This song is
soulfully rendered in Duke's svelte machinations.
Now departure is departure in the true sense as Claude Debussy enters
the picture. Birnbaum's interpretation of "Bergamasque Prelude" allows
this fine pianist to exhibit his formal side to the nth. degree.
Versatility, thy name is Birnbaum.
5 STARS
info at cd baby - or Ragtime Mark Birnbaum website
Visit California Coast Jazz At:
http://community-2.webtv.net/johnnyjazz/johnnyjazzsjazzpage
Issue 042 - December 2005 Artist: Mark Birnbaum
JAZZ VIEWS CD REVIEW
Title: Hot Piano! Ragtime, Blues, Jazz, Classical
Mark Birnbaum (solo piano)
Recorded 2000-2003
Anyone who knows me knows I am not too crazy about solo piano so they hand me a CD of 77 minutes of same to review but, shock, horror! it’s a delight. This is a nicely varied programme and well-played by Mark Birnbaum who is a new name to me but I will look out for him in future. There are two compositions of Scott Joplin, namely ‘Scott Joplin’s New Rag’ and ‘Solace’ which is just about my favourite Joplin piece and is played here with proper love and respect by Mr Birnbaum. No solo piano album would be complete without something by Jelly Roll Morton and here we have no less than six if we count ‘Tiger Rag’ which it gives here as by Morton. The classic side is represented by two compositions by Debussy and two by Alexander Scriabin, one of which is ‘The Funeral March’. Music for all occasions? He also plays Gershwin’s ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ which comes in at over nine minutes and I am sure the composer would have approved this version. Novelty ragtime is represented by Zez Confrey’s ‘Kitten on the Keys’ and Tin Pan Alley by ‘Darktown Strutters Ball’, ‘Sheik of Araby’ and ‘My Blue Heaven’. There is also Duke Ellington’s ’Sophisticated Lady’ and something by Harold Arlen called ‘Trickeration’. The set is completed by four original compositions by Mark Birnbaum none of which really sets the woods on fire. A mixed bag then of which I feel that Morton and Joplin numbers come off best – but that could be me showing my age. Finally, mention of Scott Joplin enables me to put in a plug for the Scott Joplin House in St. Louis. It is a little off the tourist track but is well worth a visit.
Lawrence Marshall
About Ragtime Mark Birnbaum
About Mark Birnbaum
Mark Birnbaum (born 1952) is an American pianist and New York City fashion plate, well known for his ragtime recordings.
A classically-trained composer and pianist, and a television personality, Birnbaum earned a Doctorate in Music from Columbia University in 1982. In 1983, he composed and directed the successful off-Broadway show, “A Day Together”, which was funded by the Helena Rubenstein Foundation and traveled throughout the five boroughs of New York City. Encouraged by Andy Warhol, Vladimir Horowitz, Eubie Blake and a chance encounter with Richard Nixon, he moved to playing (and singing) ragtime, blues, and jazz, successfully appearing at Birdland, The Angry Squire, and other nightclubs in the New York City metropolitan area. From 1990 to 1993 he appeared nightly (dressed in flashy clothing) as staff pianist on the Joe Franklin television show (WWOR-TV) which provided national exposure.
At Edith O’Hara’s 13th Street Theatre in New York City, Birnbaum has had successful one-man shows -’Ragtime 94′, ‘Ragtime 96′ and most recently ‘Hot Piano! Ragtime, Blues & Jazz’…which continues to travel throughout the tri-state area. In January 2009 it was performed for the 1,000th time.
Nicknamed “Mr Ragtime” by Captain Lou Albano, Birnbaum continues to record, perform, and reinvent Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Waller, 1920’s-1960’s music and free jazz.
In 2005, Birnbaum was awarded an honorary degree from the Neupauer Conservatory (the Order of the Shield) by Dr. William Schimmel for his work with the accordion.
In December 2007, Schimmel and Birnbaum recorded together for the first time with the help of Micki Goodman and Godfrey Nelson their recent project “Duality Wrecks”, which covers the entire spectrum of rock and roll, rockabilly, swing, ballads and punk in a 50 minute non-stop continuum (interludes composed by the performers)
In December 2008, Schimmel and Birnbaum recorded “Weatherwatch – FreeJazz” (which includes Schimmel’s “Scriabin at a Picnic with His Mistress and Biographer), the 2nd in a series of 3 cd’s; “War in Heaven” is scheduled for release later in 2009. A hip-hop ragtime album is also scheduled for release in late 2009 (with Nikki Borodi and Ragidy Supreme). In 2008, Birnbaum was awarded an ERM Media prize for his ‘Louisiana Elegy for Piano & Strings’; He has also received over twenty Meet The Composer Grants since 1979.
As a pedagogue, Birnbaum has pioneered a radical method to teaching the piano, involving meditation, deep breathing and slow motion transformation (”going faster by going slower”). Birnbaum also suggests healthful ideas (vegetarianism, black-strap molasses, cider vinegar) designed to further one’s ability to learn faster and clearer with more energy. The Art of Zen,The Japanese Art of War, William Blake, Milton and Dante are suggested readings. Piano greats like Eubie Blake, James P. Johnson (The Father of Harlem Stride Piano), Lennie Tristano, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock and Liberace (as well as Miles Davis and John Coltrane)are all included in this teaching method.
Hurricane Katrina: As a tribute to the birthplace of Jazz (and the great jazz pianist and composer), in 2006 Birnbaum released “Jelly Roll Morton’s Missing New Orleans” (piano & vocals), a live cd.
Fashion: Although less of a fixture on late night television, Birnbaum, when away from the piano, functions part-time as a fashion model – regarded as one of the flashiest dressed men in New York City; ultra-modern eyeglasses, cane and top hat with ostrich feathers, two-tone shoes, brilliantly colored suits and a full-length (faux) chinchilla fur coat. Is he Mr.Monopoly, Liberace, The Mad Hatter…or Elton John? That’s what he is asked. Andy Warhol did tell Birnbaum that “The United States of America Loves Visual Images”.
In February 2009, art critic Ed McCormack (of Warhol – Interview fame) reviewed a portrait/painting of Mark Birnbaum by Andre van der Kerkhoff in ‘Gallery & Studio’ entitled ‘Eccentric Spartan Extravagance’. Comparing Birnbaum’s image to that of the Joker, he wrote “Only in a city as lawlessly various as New York can reality hold its own so handsomely against fantasy by producing a cast of characters who prove that truth can indeed surpass fiction. Perhaps as evidence of this, van der Kerkhoff submits “Eccentric Spartan Extravagance,” an image of a gaunt-faced citizen sporting dark glasses and a long plume in his tophat whose everyday persona is a striking as that of any of Batman’s arch rivals.”
Monday, June 8, 2009
Duality Wrecks - Piano/Accordion Fun CD
Dr. William Schimmel (accordion) and Dr. Mark Birnbaum (piano) covering the entire spectrum of rock and roll, rockabilly, swing, ballads and punk (1930's thru 1960's tunes: Moonglow, Stardust, Angel Eyes, Mack the Knife, Duke Ellington, Bill Haley.......
DUALITY WRECKS - PIANO & ACCORDION - 50 MINUTES NON-STOP
LIMITED EDITION -INFO - CD BABY - OR BILLSCHIMMEL WEBSITE
WHAT IF ROCK AND ROLL AND ROCKABILLY TOOK A DIFFERENT TURN
WHAT IF AN ACCORDION AND PIANO DUO EMERGED SOUNDING LIKE THEY COULD HAVE COME OUT OF A SUN RECORDING SESSION – SLIGHTLY LATER
WHAT IF THEY PLAYED THE ENTIRE SESSION WITHOUT INTERRUPTION
WHAT IT IF TURNED OUT TO BE A HUGE TRAIN WRECK
AND IT STILL MADE YOU WANT TO DANCE
AND IT STILL MADE YOU WANT TO SING
AND IT STILL MADE YOU WANT TO DRINK
AND IT STILL MADE YOU WANT TO PARTY
AND IT STILL MADE YOU WANT TO DO THE NASTY
Duality wrecks is a brand new piano and accordion duo - 1930's-thru 1960's tunes done in one long 50 minute continuous take with improvisational interludes by Dr. Mark Birnbaum (piano) and Dr. William Schimmel (accordion)
easy listening, danceable, exciting, live, lots of fun
by two super-virtuoso performers
songs are-
Night Train, Moonglow, Stardust, Mood Indigo, Take the "a" Train, Angel Eyes, Cry Me A River, The Girl From Ipanema, Shake, Rattle and Roll, Rock Around the Clock, Mack the Knife, Shout, Honky-Tonk Woman, St. Louis blues, Night Train
'Duality Wrecks' - Dance Music,Fun, Musicx, Crazy Music-
a new CD featuring an duo of piano and accordion (Dr. Mark Birnbaum and Dr. Willaim Schimmel)the entire spectrum of rock and roll, rockabilly, swing, ballads and punk in a 50 minute continuum. It’s perfect as background music for your next holiday party or any party anytime. It’s a great gift for anyone. It’s a great gift for yourself. Treat yourself!
it’s not easy listening. There are some train wrecks. You may love it. You may hate it. You may love to hate it. You may hate to love it. But you won’t be able to turn it off
after all
it’s 50 minutes without stopping
and you won’t want to turn it off
why?
you’ll be too busy dancing
you’ll be too busy singing
you’ll be too busy eating
you’ll be too busy drinking
you’ll be too busy ……. Well
you know what i mean
you also may be too busy listening
now there’s a concept!
In December of 2007, Schimmel and Birnbaum recorded together for the first time with the help of Micki Goodman and Godfrey Nelson their recent project "Duality Wrecks", which covers the entire spectrum of rock and roll, rockabilly, swing, ballads and punk in a 50 minute continuum (interludes composed by the performers)
DUALITY WRECKS - PIANO & ACCORDION - 50 MINUTES NON-STOP
LIMITED EDITION -INFO - CD BABY - OR BILLSCHIMMEL WEBSITE
WHAT IF ROCK AND ROLL AND ROCKABILLY TOOK A DIFFERENT TURN
WHAT IF AN ACCORDION AND PIANO DUO EMERGED SOUNDING LIKE THEY COULD HAVE COME OUT OF A SUN RECORDING SESSION – SLIGHTLY LATER
WHAT IF THEY PLAYED THE ENTIRE SESSION WITHOUT INTERRUPTION
WHAT IT IF TURNED OUT TO BE A HUGE TRAIN WRECK
AND IT STILL MADE YOU WANT TO DANCE
AND IT STILL MADE YOU WANT TO SING
AND IT STILL MADE YOU WANT TO DRINK
AND IT STILL MADE YOU WANT TO PARTY
AND IT STILL MADE YOU WANT TO DO THE NASTY
Duality wrecks is a brand new piano and accordion duo - 1930's-thru 1960's tunes done in one long 50 minute continuous take with improvisational interludes by Dr. Mark Birnbaum (piano) and Dr. William Schimmel (accordion)
easy listening, danceable, exciting, live, lots of fun
by two super-virtuoso performers
songs are-
Night Train, Moonglow, Stardust, Mood Indigo, Take the "a" Train, Angel Eyes, Cry Me A River, The Girl From Ipanema, Shake, Rattle and Roll, Rock Around the Clock, Mack the Knife, Shout, Honky-Tonk Woman, St. Louis blues, Night Train
'Duality Wrecks' - Dance Music,Fun, Musicx, Crazy Music-
a new CD featuring an duo of piano and accordion (Dr. Mark Birnbaum and Dr. Willaim Schimmel)the entire spectrum of rock and roll, rockabilly, swing, ballads and punk in a 50 minute continuum. It’s perfect as background music for your next holiday party or any party anytime. It’s a great gift for anyone. It’s a great gift for yourself. Treat yourself!
it’s not easy listening. There are some train wrecks. You may love it. You may hate it. You may love to hate it. You may hate to love it. But you won’t be able to turn it off
after all
it’s 50 minutes without stopping
and you won’t want to turn it off
why?
you’ll be too busy dancing
you’ll be too busy singing
you’ll be too busy eating
you’ll be too busy drinking
you’ll be too busy ……. Well
you know what i mean
you also may be too busy listening
now there’s a concept!
In December of 2007, Schimmel and Birnbaum recorded together for the first time with the help of Micki Goodman and Godfrey Nelson their recent project "Duality Wrecks", which covers the entire spectrum of rock and roll, rockabilly, swing, ballads and punk in a 50 minute continuum (interludes composed by the performers)
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Friday, June 5, 2009
Mark Birnbaum Piano/William Schimmel Accordion
weather watch free jazz
FEATURING:Dr. Mark Birnbaum, piano
Dr. William Schimmel, accordion
"Another brilliant recording of a performance by the truly magical team of Dr. Mark Birnbaum, piano, and Dr. William Schimmel, accordion. Only two tracks here: First an extended improvisation that lasts almost 36 minutes, then a 10 minute track. Both will transport you!"
Peter H. Gilmore - High Priest of the Church of Satan
May 24th 2009
WEATHER WATCH-FREE JAZZ is a continuous collaborative improvisation with a relentless Hip Hop beat. On occasion, we hear snippets of Liszt’s Hungarian Fantasy.
SCRIABIN AT A PICNIC WITH THIS MISTRESS AND BIOGRAPHER is inspired by the photograph bearing the same title. It’s an acid pastoral in suspended time with occasional references to Scriabin’s Poem of Ecstasy.
Both pieces were created spontaneously in real time and in one take. There was no editing whatsoever.
available from cd baby - mark birnbaum
as is our first collaboration..DUALITY WRECKS
Mark Birnbaum Mad Hatter Top Hat Time
Mark Birnbaum and Meryl | |
| It was a fun night - Uploaded on Jun 5, 2009 | Delete 1 view / 0 comments | |
| Mark Birnbaum and Meryl at the gallery Uploaded on Jun 5, 2009 | Delete | A few years back at Thady Con's - it was good old New Orleans Jazz Blues and Ragtime...Jelly Roll... Uploaded on Jun 5, 2009 | Delete |
| circa 2000 or 2001- when things seemed simpler....and Mark Birnbaum was younger...at... Uploaded on Jun 5, 2009 | Delete | Pianist Mark Birnbaum - Top Hat & Cane Uploaded on Jun 5, 2009 | Delete |
| Me and ...well, me.......in the background - right before a gig..... Uploaded on Jun 5, 2009 | Delete | Mark Birnbaum, Doctor of Musical Arts -ColumbiaUniversity - kicking ass at the keys - Top Hat, Plume... |
Mark Birnbaum photos
Mark Birnbaum w/painting of Mark Birnbaum | ||
| Me and ...well, me.......in the background - right before a gig..... Uploaded on Jun 5, 2009 | Delete | Mark Birnbaum, Doctor of Musical Arts -ColumbiaUniversity - kicking ass at the keys - Top Hat, Plume... Uploaded on Jun 5, 2009 | Delete | From a painting called - Eccentric Spartan Extravagance- Uploaded on Jun 5, 2009 | Delete |
| with Top Hat enroute to end of the year party december 31 2007 Uploaded on Jun 5, 2009 | Delete | From a colorful show a few months ago |
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