Bowie's Piano Man will be an evening celebrating the music of Mike Garson - David Bowie's piano man for some 40 years and a musician often cited as one of the top ten pianists around the world.
Clifford Slapper, Mike Garson's biographer is also a pianist, this is why the two met.
It seemed just right that Clifford should be the man to write the biography of Mike Garson, the two built a great trust and an intriguing book is the result; more than just a biography of a world-class musician, it is a book of a musician by a musician that is full of hope, healing and a great understanding of all that music, without boundaries, can be.
We will be talking with Clifford Slapper about his book and his friendship with Mike Garson which has lasted many years right up until now as they were last together in London just recently when Bowie's last band to tour with him, reunited in London for the most poignant Brit Awards.
The evening will be hosted by Mayo Velvo, chansonnier and Liebling of Düsseldorf's cabaret scene and, also a great Bowie admirer. Mayo will be treating us not only to his charismatic presentation, but he will also sing a couple of Bowie songs, accompanied by Clifford Slapper on piano, making these songs his very own.
 |
| Photo Carsten Sander |
Mayo will be joined by the singers, Edi Winarni, Linda Hergarten and Ian LeBlanc. Four corners of the world of music, electronica, classical, rock and chansons will come to together on this evening, to make for a surprising performance in the true sense of what art is all about. Not 100% planned, and eye-opening for both audience and protagonists.
 |
| Photo Katarina Pobltzki |
Linda is a graduate of the Robert Schumann Music Conservatory. I first saw this young woman perform Kurt Weil songs side-by-side with none other than Campino, of Germany's biggest rock band Die Toten Hosen. Entitled 'Welcome to Germany' This most moving concert was given to recall the the exhibition 'Degenerate Music' that took place in Düsseldorf over 70 years ago.Linda had such a wonderful, relaxed stage presence I have wanted to work with her ever since and am now thrilled that she will be joining us for this wonderful event.
Ian as it happens, is a musician with a great respect for Mike Garson, when I discovered this, I simply had to invite him to join us on at this performance.
The evening will be embellished by Luca Kohlmetz and Ben Schlemmer, students at the Düsseldorf Kunstakademie. They have been given the exclusive rights to work with images from the book 'Bowie's Piano Man' just for the evening.
I'm thrilled to see how Düsseldorf singers have embraced this unique performance, overcoming their uncertainties and willing to get up there and give this a go, so much in the sense of Mike Garson who is the master of improvisation. It's going to be a great night of wildly different music genres coming together to celebrate music from Düsseldorf that is linked to some of the greatest musical influences in the world.
 |
| David Bowie and Mike Garson at Olympic Studios Photo @Kate Simon |
Limited tickets €25
Any profits from this event I wish to donate to SingPause - a pioneering Düsseldorf project for the musical education of children in primary schools, headed up magnificently by Manfred Hill.
Bowie's Piano Man - an Evening with Clifford Slapper
March 31 at 8pm
Doors open 7pm
Doors open 7pm
Stahlwerk
Ronsdorfer Strasse 134
40233 Düsseldorf
This event could not be considered without the people who are dedicated to music and who are so very special in my life.
My heartfelt thanks to prolific Bowie biographer David Buckley who not only introduced me to Clifford last year, but is just brilliant in answering my never-ending questions about electronic music
Thank you to music guru Henry Storch who supports all that I do in such an unprecedented, giving way
To Stefan Prill at Stahlwerk for his generosity
To Luca Kohlmetz, just thanks :)
To Thomas Buchem and Guido Trinks for ideas and support that I could not do without
To Julia Coulmas of Fräulein Swing and Helmut Woigk at KawaiTo Stefan Prill at Stahlwerk for his generosity
To Luca Kohlmetz, just thanks :)
To Thomas Buchem and Guido Trinks for ideas and support that I could not do without
To Maja
To Christop Christian Beermann for his talented eye and never saying no, even when I need last minute help!
To photographer Pete Marifoglou for his trust and extraordinary eye
And to all who are helping put this together ... the musicians, the singers, my fab assistant Linda, I couldn't do what I do without you!
