WELCOME TO SONNY'S JAZZ CAFE

Below are some great improvisational jazz videos of world class artists like Connie Crothers, Richard Tabnik, Kazzrie Jaxen/Liz Gorill, Dori Levine, Valentina Nazarenko, Roger Mancuso, and the late, great Sal Mosca. There are also video of Sonny, some of his students, and his father, Frank Dante, playing a various styles of music on the piano and other instruments. Click on the photo to start each video.

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Connie Crothers & Kazzrie Jaxen Duet, June 2008

Connie & Kazzrie blew the roof off the Ford Pianos Concert Room when they sat down and created an evening of spontaneous piano improvisation and musical combustion. These two creative geniuses traded leads, merged into one sound and weaved in and out in ways rarely if ever heard before from a Jazz Duo.. This is a clip from part 3 of the concert. Visit www.ConnieCrothers.net and www.NewArtistsRecordsTV.com to hear more of Connie and Kazzrie.

Sonnization 2

Sonny improvises around the theme from the song Moondance

Sonnization 1

Sonny Improvises around the theme from Black Orpheus

Connie Crothers & Richard Tabnik Quartet at Birdland, NYC Part 1

Connie Crothers, Richard Tabnik, Roger Mancuso, Harry Schulz & Sean Smith tear it up at Birdland, NYC. Great cutting edge jazz improvisation musicians playing some great flowing improvisational music …doing it their way. See more of Connie and friends at www.NewArtistsRecords.com

Connie Crothers & Richard Tabnik Quartet at Birdland, NYC Part 2

More of the Birdland, NYC session from these great musicians spontaneously improvising music from the moment. See more of Connie and friends at www.NewArtistsRecords.com.

Sal Mosca at Birdland 1/01/07

Here is a set the legendary jazz improvisation master pianist Sal Mosca played at Birdland on January 1st, 2007. Sal passed away this past year and has left a musical legacy of immeasurable proportions. See his website at www.SalMosca.com to read more about him. We were honored that he gave us permission to tape this session and put it on our Sonny's PianoTV Website. I had the privilege to hear him live on another occasion at the Village Vanguard years before and have been delighted and inspired by listening to his albums throughout the years. I remember him as a remarkably innovative and original pianist and a generous and caring human being. To see more Don Messina and friends visit www.concentric.net/~bmctrio.

Sal Mosca Quartet - You go to my head - Blue Jack Jazz International Release - BJJR046
European Orders: http://www.bluejackjazz.com
North America Orders: http://db.cadencebuilding.com//public/search/ (Type in "Sal Mosca")
or email: orders@cadencebuilding.com

Connie Crothers at Merkin Hall 11/09/06 - Part 1

Here we have the beginning of each of the four parts of Connie Crothers' solo concert at Merkin Hall called 'Transformations'. See the full concert for free at www.NewArtistsRecordsTV.com.

To preview and purchase Connie’s CDs, go to www.NewArtistsRecords.com

Connie Crothers At Merkin Hall 11/09/06 - Part 2

Connie Closes her unbridled solo performance at Merkin Hall with a thunderous lightning-handed display of piano virtuousity & improvisatory genius.

To preview and purchase Connie’s CDs, go to www.NewArtistsRecords.com

Dori Levine singing "Foolin' Myself"

The great jazz vocalist Dori Levine tears it up at Birdland singing the classic "Foolin' Myself". Listen to her use her voice as an instrument, gliding in and out of the melody with improivsational lines you usually hear from a sax or trumpet....just terrific. One of the great jazz improivsation vocalist of our time. See the full Birdland Session at www.NewArtistsRecordsTV.com and visit Dori at www.DoriLevine.com.

Kazzrie Jaxen Trio At Birdland

Kazzrie, Roger Mancuso and Ratzo Harris bring in the New Year at the legendary Jazz Club Birdland in NYC. Great Music from great musicians.

See the entire set at www.NewArtistsRecordsTV.com To preview and order Kazzrie Jaxen’s latest CD ”Prayers and Mad Laughter” go to http://cdbaby.com/cd/kazzrie

To hear more of all three artists go to http://www.newartistsrecords.com

Ratzo Harris’ web site http://ratzobharris.com/

To contact Kazzrie Jaxen: kazzrie@pronetisp.net

Connie & Valentina Steinway Hall ...Imagination

Hear Connie & Valentina do an improvisation on the classic "Imagination" at their Steinway Hall Concert...... Just beautiful... sweet... rich and colorful...See the entire concert at www.NewArtistsRecordsTV.com.

To preview and purchase Connie & Friends CDs, go to www.NewArtistsRecords.com

Connie Crothers How To Improvise Tips

More from the Connie Crothers Interview. Here Connie speaks about the one sure way to connect to the improvisation groove inside of you. Singing along with the “Masters” of Jazz Improvisation!

The Connie Crothers Interview Part 1

Sonny interviews the great jazz improvisation piano player, teacher and philosopher Connie Crothers in her music studio in Williamsburg Brooklyn, NY. Connie in this part of the interview speaks about her playing and teaching philosophy, her influences and ways for connecting to the place within where spontaneous improvisation happens.

The Connie Crothers Interview Part 2

In this part Connie and Sonny discuss the relationship between music, feelings, love, streaming energy, Wilhelm Reich and Zen.
Connie also discusses the independent record label New Artists Records she started with Max Roach and Richard Tabnik and Kazzrie Jaxen. Connie talks about how to make the connection to your streaming music place by singing along with the great masters like Billie Holiday, Lester Young, Louie Armstrong, and Roy Eldridge. She also speaks more about Lennie Tristano and ends the interview giving a demonstration of Spontaneous Improvisation.

"Sonny’s Simpàtico" Improvisation

Sonny flowing in the moment.

A Connie Crothers Spontaneous Improvisation Demonstration

From the upcoming Connie Crothers interview. Here Connie demonstrates improvising in the moment playing three versions of What Is This Thing Called Love. Just Great.

To Listen to more Connie Crothers and Friends visit www.NewArtistsRecords.com

Kazzrie Jaxen Trio At Birdland

Kazzrie (piano, vocals), Roger Mancuso (drums) and Ratzo Harris (bass). Kazzrie sings a bluesy, sweet, sultry Embraceable You.

To preview and order Kazzrie Jaxen’s latest CD ”Prayers and Mad Laughter” go to http://cdbaby.com/cd/kazzrie

To hear more of all three artists go to www.NewArtistsRecords.com

Ratzo Harris’ web site http://ratzobharris.com/

To contact Kazzrie Jaxen: kazzrie@pronetisp.net

Sonny Plays Cocktail Jazz

Sonny plays Lady is a Tramp and Satin Doll.

Jam at Connie’s Studio in Williamsburg, Bkln.

Featuring Connie, Richard Tabnik on sax, Roger Mancuso on drums and friends.

To preview and purchase all New Artists Records member's CDs, go to www.NewArtistsRecords.com

Richard Tabnik’s website www.inch.com/~rctabnik

To Contact Richard: rctabnik@inch.com

Sonny Plays Spontaneous

Sonny cuts it loose with a free flowing flight across time and space.

Connie Crothers & Valentina Nazarenko At Steinway Hall

Hear Connie Crothers & Valentina Nazarenko at Steinway Hall, July 22, 2005. An incredible concert, Connie and Valentina tore the roof off at Steinway Hall. What a Duo. To see the entire Steinway Hall Concert at www.NewArtistsRecordsTV.com.

See more Connie Crothers & Freinds and to preview and purchase their CDs, go to www.NewArtistsRecords.com

Michelle Plays Beethoven Sonata Opus 14 #2

Michelle K. plays this popular piece with fluidity and feeling... very enjoyable.

Sonny and Michelle Duo-Fur Elise Improvisation

Michelle played Fur Elise the way it is written and Sonny improvised around the main theme. This sweet sounding piece was the result.

Sonny & Andrew Gabriel Blues Jam

Sonny was Andrew’s first piano teacher and so their connection goes back several years and it's apparent as they just sit down and out comes this blues piece. No rehearsal required.

Sonny & Andrew Gabriel A Minor Jam

Sonny and Andrew jam around in the key of A minor, weaving in and out of Gershwin’s Summertime and somehow ending up with Led Zeppelin’s Stairway To Heaven.

Dan Lauderman Plays and Sings An Original

Dan recently wrote "I Feel The Light Tonight". Another deeply feeling love song from this up and coming singer/song writer.

Watch for big things from this talented young artist.

Andrew Gabriel & Sonny Jam

Andrew plays guitar (he also plays incredible piano)in this stretch as he and Sonny take off on a improvisational flight. Starting point is Malaguena.Andrew started studying with Sonny when he was 12 y/o.....Listen to him play piano below. More Andrew Gabriel coming soon.

Andrew Gabriel 4/05/06 at 21 Main Street

Andrew is one of the great young talents just coming on the music scene. His ability to sit down and just improvise on either the piano or guitar is simply incredible. He connected to his 'musician within" early on and the music just keeps pouring out. His abilty to play different styles depending on his mood speaks volumes for the creative genius just starting to blossom in this young man. Watch for great things from Andrew.

Best of Sonny's Piano Video Tours Part 1

Edited versions of some of the best pianos sold at Sonny's Pianos Inc. over the past few years. This clip includes a Steinway Model S Baby Grand new residing in Ocala Florida, A Knabe Baby Grand living in New Jersey, a 6' Young Chang going to Smithtown, NY and our newest addition a sweet 88 note Digital Piano also several still available.

Best of Sonny's Piano Video Tours Part 2

Edited versions of some of our best piano video tours created over the past few years. This clip contains a 1910 Chickering heading to Baltimore, a 1927 Rebuilt Bluthner still available, A Knabe Magnifico 6'5" Grand now residing in Nevada city California.

Best of Sonny's Piano Video Tours Part 3

Edited versions of some of our best piano video tours created over the past few years.This clip contains tours of a 5'4" Knabe still available, A Baldwin Baby Grand now residing in San Francisco, an Otto Altenburg Baby Grand residing in Vermont and a George Steck Commemorative Baby Grand residing in Seattle.

Frank Danti (Sonny's Dad) Plays Brubeck Medley

Frank plays a Brubeck Medley he first put together when he was touring with his band "The Dimensions".

"True Lover's Flame" By Frank Danti

Frank Danti wrote the lyrics and composed the music for this swinging, bluesey ballad while touring with his band the Dimensions also with Joe LaSpina(sax), Bobby Weaver(Drums) & Bob Dorian (Bass).

Jim Sweeney Plays My Funny Valentine 21 finale

Jim Plays A Soulful, Smokey Jazz Verzion Of "My Funny Valentine" at 21 Main Street in Sayville

Jim Sweeney at Bob's Place 9/4/06

Sonny's friend Jim studied piano with Sonny a while back and made the connection. Listen to him recently.

Bob at Bob's Place 9/4/06

Bob studied with Sonny for a few months a few years ago and has evolved his own sound and style.

Dan Lauterman Sings Summertime

Dan is an inspired original talent, singer, song writer, piano player. His ability to just sit down and compose an original song based on his mood is rare and nothing short of amazing. More of Dan to come. Watch for his originals. Here he sings Summertime in his own style.

Phil at Sonny's Studio 4/6/06

Phil Plays an original masterpiece!!!! Listen him improvise with both hands simultaneously. Just terrific. Very few piano players can do that. Especially at 17 y/o. He started studying with Sonny at 15 y/o.

Bob

Bob plays cool at Sonny and Friends gig at 21 Main Street last year in Sayville, NY.

Greg Charles Plays Piano 05/06 Improvisation 1,2 &3

Greg broke through to spontaneous piano playing quicker then most. After just a few months he was developing his own style and sound. Listen here to this medley he played at his second public appearance ever. A great young talent. Watch for great music to come. He has only scratched the surface.

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