Posts Tagged ‘Syracuse Piano Tuner’

Jazz Fest, Day 2: MVP

Sunday, July 19th, 2015
Most Valuable Piano Tuner: Kenny Williams.

Most Valuable Piano Tuner: Kenny Williams.

Part of our wish list this year is to recognize Kenny Williams. We bet he’s tuned piano for each of the 30 plus Jazz Fests (give or take a few) here in Syracuse. He’s an expert at his craft,but he’s also an all-around cool guy. We wonder what it will take to get him a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Festival?

Jazz for a Sunday Afternoon

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010
Dave Mann, Will Lee and Chris Parker

Dave Mann, Will Lee and Chris Parker

The 28th Annual Syracuse Jazz Fest took place again at Onondaga Community College last weekend. I got cover the final day, which featured Natalie Cole, Toph-E, Sheryl Bailey, and Michael Kaeshammer. One fan I spoke with said the Friday night Jam Session was the best set he’d seen at this particular event (he’s been attending for over 20 years).

Michael Kaeshammer and Marc Roberts (The Canadian Connection)

Michael Kaeshammer and Marc Roberts

Other artists who performed on days one and two of the festival (who I missed) included Gil Scott Heron, Boz Scaggs and Jeff Lorber.

It was also good to see, photograph and talk with piano tuner Kenneth Williams.  According to Jazz Fest Producer Festival Frank Malfitano: “[Williams] is the best in the business and a very dear friend of the festival, he’s indispensable.”

Natelie Cole

Natalie Cole