Mel Sundquist’s portfolio

Solo pianist will perform at Covey Art Center

Originally published in the UVU Review on Sept. 15, 2008.

This Friday, solo pianist George Winston will perform at the Covey Center for the Arts in Provo. Winston, whose career began in 1972 with his first album, Ballads and Blues, has since released seven multi-platinum, platinum and gold albums.

Chances are the majority of UVU students have never heard of Winston. But their parents most likely have. His career peaked in the ’70s and ’80s, but that doesn’t mean he’s no longer an important contributor to the music world. Since 1980 he has released nine solo piano albums, the most recent of which was a tribute to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina titled Gulf Coast Blues and Impressions. This album was released on Sept. 5.

According to a press release from the Covey Center, Winston plays over one hundred solo piano concerts a year. His songs range from New Orleans R&B piano to Vince Guaraldi’s Peanuts pieces.

“I play three styles: New Orleans R&B piano, and the majority of the songs I play are in this style; stride piano, which was the main way of playing that I worked on after hearing Fats Waller and Teddy Wilson; and third, folk piano, the style that I came up with in 1971 which is influenced and inspired by instrumental R&B and rock, North American folk music, and even more by the sounds of the piano itself,” Winston said.

The Covey Center is evolving into a more impressive and respectable venue in Utah Valley. They have started to draw in more than just local artists like the Thrillionaires and Kirby Heybourne. For example, the annual dance concert Thriller by Odyssey Dance Theater has never performed in Utah Valley, but this October they will show for two nights at the Center.

The venue has become a place for multiple types of entertainment. Theater, comedy, dance, symphonies, art, and community parties have all been hosted at the center.

More Information

The Covey Center is located at 425 West Center Street in Provo. Tickets to the event are $20-$25 and can be purchased at the Ticket Office, by calling 801-852-7007, or by visiting www.CoveyCenter.org. The concert will take place on Friday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m.

San Franciscan foursome brings their new album to Salt Lake

Originally published in the UVU Review on Sept. 8, 2008.

LoveLikeFire is a big hit with musicians and the media but hasn’t yet hit the mainstream. Their compulsive, upbeat songs would have become instant hits if the band began their career in Britain, but they remain underground in the U.S.

The band will be playing songs from their new album at Kilby Court next Monday, Sept. 15.

LoveLikeFire recently signed onto British label Heist or Hit Records, and have been spending the summer recording a full-length debut album. Instead of touring in the UK, they have been making their way across the states. The tour stretches from coast to coast, but with only one appearance in Utah.

The album doesn’t have an official U.S. title yet, but in the U.K. it will be called Tear Ourselves Away. It was recorded at Tiny Telephone in San Francisco with musician John Vanderslice and is produced by Bill Racine. Racine has worked with producer David Fridmann with bands like The Flaming Lips and Sparklehorse, and has individually produced albums by Rogue Wave and Mates of State.

Most of the performances on LoveLikeFire’s tour will include more than one act. They’ve shared the stage with bands like The Teenagers, The Virgins, and Black Kids. However, they’re the sole act at Kilby Court on Monday.

Kilby Court shows several bands per week, and tickets for performances generally range from $7-$25, depending on the venue and the popularity of the band, and are available at the door.

For more information To learn more about LoveLikeFire, go to www.LoveLikeFire.com To see a calendar of performances at Kilby Court, go to www.KilbyCourt.com

Thanksgiving Point continues outdoor concerts through September

Originally published in the UVU Review on Sept. 8, 2008.

Outdoor summer concerts are a big hit in Utah. The warm, dry climate and mountainous backdrop create the perfect atmosphere for open-air entertainment. This makes for a lot of competition and diversity among venues.

Thanksgiving Point has much opposition to contend with in this area, but their left hook is a doozy. The amphitheater houses the largest manmade waterfall in the Western Hemisphere.

The Point is drawing out the outdoor concert season to the end of September, with three concerts by locally loved musicians. It’s too late to catch New Age classical pianist Jon Schmidt, who played there on Sept. 6, but this Saturday Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband will perform. According to a press release, these local favorites “have created a style of their own with bluegrass, country, and pop-rock flavors.” The band’s most recent album, LAST MAN STANDING, will be available for purchase. Tickets are $12 if purchased beforehand and $15 at the door. On Sept. 20, Peter Brienholt will come back to the Point for the first time in three years. Brienholt has been performing in Utah for more than ten years, and according to www.PeterBrienholt.com, “He has sold out every major concert hall in his home state of Utah many times over.” A favorite among college students before our time, Brienholt is sure to give an outstanding performance. Tickets for this, the last show of Thanksgiving Point’s Hot Autumn Nights series, are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.

The venue allows blankets and chairs that are no more than six inches off the ground. No outside food or drinks, folding chairs, or flash photography is tolerated. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m.

For more information Tickets are available at www.ThanksgivingPoint.com, the box office at 3003 N. Thanksgiving Way in Lehi, or by calling (801) 768-4900.