When this concert was first scheduled, we had no idea how important it would be to remember the "cradle of America's music." Tonight, Ellis Marsalis, one of jazz's great talents and educators, sits down with Philadelphia's own Orrin Evans for a duo piano evening. Did Hurricane Katrina change the way you thought about this show? How was the music tonight and the artist chat?
The "One Nation Under Jazz" theme did not play out through Orrin Evans. His skill at the piano was evident, but he should have left his politics at home. He explained, at the beginning of his concert, that he was taping the proceedings so his children would know what he does and where he plays. I strongly suggest that someone from the Kimmel Center listen to the comments expressed by Mr. Evans during the evening. I didn't appreciate his slur about the National Anthem, but the most offensive comment was in asking the white people in the audience not to clap along to his last piece, because "you people can't even clap in 4/4 time". Sorry, but if someone had announced from the stage that only white people were being handed programs, because black people can't read anyway, imagine the outcry. We were so disturbed by his attitude and remarks that we almost left before Mr. Marsalis' portion of the program. We did stay, thank heavens, because Mr. Marsalis' mastery at the piano was uplifting and soothing at the same time. Please feel free to forward my comments to Orrin Evans.