Dave McKenna Interview by Monk Rowe - 9/12/1997 - Chautauqua, NY

[@terryhammond1253]

🎹 Dave remains a top tier jazz pianist, right up there with the greatest of the greats. I first met him in London, where we were both performing in the 70s.

[@Arturo-sm1tb]

I once told a piano player playing at a famous Cape Cod restaurant that he reminded me of Dave McKenna. His eyes lit up, and he replied- "that was the greatest compliment of my life, thank you, thank you....Dave is my idol".

[@jamieevans1890]

Met Dave three times in London...I approached him once and he was so friendly. "You a piano player? he asked. How did he know? We shook hands and he nearly crushed a couple of bones. He was my piano hero and I was heart-broken when he passed.

[@monzhao3952]

Oh my, I'm so glad to see this! Dave is my man, my piano hero!

[@neilpollicino80]

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[@donaldscherzi169]

Love his piano. Truly a giant of a musician and a man. Miss him.

[@ghairraigh]

Table of Contents: Biography -- Mother was a musician / Depression era -- Served as a cook in the Korean War / Charlie Ventura gig at age 14 -- Father's drumming / First hearing Buddy Rich -- Loves small group context/Boring, high comfort level solo gigs -- Influences : Radio swing, not "Mickey Bands" / "A song player" -- Woody Herman personnel / Developing left hand skills -- Recording on Concord : "a small major label" -- Hard times in the 1960's -- Contemporary of Bill Evans, but worked backward -- Musical tastes : singers, songwriters -- Creating medleys for solo piano / Golden age of songwriting vs. Andrew Lloyd Weber -- Seeing business slow down in clubs -- Conclusion : Playing for dancers / Changes in audiences.

[@Arturo-sm1tb]

Never got to see Dave in concert...one of my great regrets. I have listened to his CDs for 30 years, and he is one of my 2 alltime favorites. Greatest left hand in history.

[@clfm20]

It broke my heart to hear this great artist light heartedly mentioning his concerns at the potential expense of new glasses and the amount of 'business' his playing attracted at venues. His abilities were such that he should have been showered with treasure and adulation wherever he went.

[@filliusjazzarchive]

Yes, the reality of most jazz musicians lives. Even if they receive treasure and adulation, it may not translate to a decent living. My experience is that the majority of these musicians remain upbeat and positive. Monk

[@davindaire]

Many thanks for this, I got to see him live in Manhattan once. Unforgettable Dave McKenna.

[@ber334]

Wow his father work for the post office during the depression. That's pretty cool

[@jasonbennett3293]

Beautiful cat!

[@geraldnichols2722]

Dave is a widely experienced musician and a fine one.

[@ber334]

I heard he knows over a thousand tunes

[@filliusjazzarchive]

He had an amazing left hand! Monk

[@ber334]

And of course you knew one of his parents had to play and it was his mother who played classical violin and piano in bands for money.