Jazz Fest - Amasa Miller: Music Director for the Pfister Sisters and pianist with Charmaine Neville
My music publisher told me I absolutely had to check out the Pfister Sisters at the Economy Hall Stage on the Jazz Fest Fairgrounds. (The whole festival is set on the racetrack and there are over 10 stages to visit, with continuous music playing all day long). The Pfister Sisters have been around for 20 years or so. It's three talented women singing in tight harmony ala Andrew Sisters with an amazingly tight, swinging band. The Economy Hall Stage is one of my favorites at the Fest because of the large dance floor. I danced to the music with a great swing dancer named Phil and was quite taken with the playing of the pianist, Amasa Miller. Amasa is a wonderfully talented white haired, blue eyed musician who plays with Charmaine Neville as well as the Pfister Sisters.
At the end of the set, I approached him and gave him a copy of "Chasing Lunatics" and said that if he had the time, I'd love to have a master class with him. I told him that I was a piano player and a published songwriter, and that I'd like to learn more about New Orleans piano playing. (It is quite a specific and unique style...percussive, blusey and soulful). He agreed to meet with me and two days later we sat at his piano and played music together.
He was such a great mentor for me. He explainned a lot about New Orleans piano music and taught me about the way the pedal is used and how octaves and tenths in the left hand are invaluable. We played some gospel and then he showed me some Professor Longhair-inspired piano licks. He recommeneded I listen to and study Dr. John and James Booker. He played me some tango and Irish accordion music that he's arranged for piano. He also plays fiddle and guitar. He was so generous and eye-opening for me. What a brilliant musician. That day was truly magical and I will never forget the time we sat at his Steinway and played and played.
Now I’ve got some new things to practice and a whole new musical vocabulary to infuse into my playing and writing. He is confident that I can be a great New Orleans style player. He says I’ve got the rhythm, the ear and the technique to handle it. Now…I’ve just got to go out and buy some records and play, play, play. One piece of great practical advice he gave me, "If you want to learn to play New Orleans Style piano, listen to the New Orleans drummers. The key to the piano is in the rhythms in the drums."
Right on. I’m off to practice Tipitina and Big Chief.
P.S. Later that night when I ran into Allen Toussaint, I told him about my class with Amasa and that he’d taught me Tipitina. He asked me, "Did he teach it to you in F?" and I said, "He sure did". But the song Big Chief is really only played in Eb. The lick might be too difficult in any other key!
