Concert grand delivered to auditorium
A special concert caliber piano has been purchased for the Whitefish Middle School auditorium with the hope that its improved sound and action will attract top-tier entertainment to the prized venue. The first artist to tickle the keys of the Steinway D concert grand will be two-time Grammy winning jazz star Alan Broadbent during a March 10 fundraising concert at the auditorium.
The $79,000 nine-foot grand piano was delivered to Whitefish last week and replaces a 1943 Baldwin. John Simpson, who organizes local jazz concerts regularly, spearheaded the effort to bring in the new piano. Simpson said the 1943 Baldwin didn’t have enough sound when competing with other instruments and that it’s action was too slow to attract top entertainment acts.
“It didn’t have a voice, it didn’t speak,” Simpson said when describing the piano’s sound. “It was never going to be the piano we needed it to be.”
The 2003 Steinway D anniversary series piano was found in Scottsdale, Ariz., and is said to be concert ready with a bold sound and pitch. The piano is stored at the middle school and will be owned by the school district.
Fundraising efforts to help pay for the piano are in full swing with nearly $50,000 in pledges secured. Don K Subaru, the Daily Inter Lake, The Lodge at Whitefish Lake and other local donors have collaborated to make a down payment, but more funds are needed. A fundraising group is aiming for $100,000 so a second piano can be purchased that will be used for general purposes to reduce wear and tear on the Steinway D.
Proceeds from Broadbent’s concert will go toward the purchase price of the piano. The concert is sponsored by Don K Subaru.
Broadbent has won two Grammys for his arrangements, one with David Foster in 1996 for his work with Natalie Cole’s duet with her father Nat King Cole on “When I Fall in Love” and another in 1999 for “Lonely Town” sung by Shirley Horn. He recently won accolades for his arrangements on Paul McCartney’s latest album, “Kisses on the Bottom.”
Broadbent was first recognized by the jazz world for his piano playing and arrangements while he was with the Woody Herman Orchestra. During his Herman years, Broadbent was nominated for Grammy Awards for his composition “Children of Lima” and Steely Dan’s “Aja”.
In 1972, he moved to Los Angeles where he worked with Chet Baker and Irene Kral. His work with Kral received a Grammy nomination in 1976. In the 1980’s he worked with Bud Shank and arranger Nelson Riddle. During the 1990’s Alan Broadbent was pianist and arranger in Charlie Haden’s Quartet West. He moved to New York City in 2011.
The March 10 concert is at 8 p.m. at the Whitefish Middle School auditorium. Ticket prices are $20 - $35. To purchase tickets go to www.WhitefishGrand.com or www.AlpineTheatreProject.org or call 862-7469. Box office assistance provided by APT.