World's Greatest 
Boogie-Woogie Pianist at Watchung Arts Center
Detroit's Bob Seeley Has a "Left Hand Like God"

The dean of jazz pianists, Jazz in July director Dick Hyman agrees with so many others that Bob Seeley is tops in what he does. "Seeley is a force of nature," says Hyman, insisting that "he's the best boogie woogie player on the planet!" 

A reviewer, after witnessing an entire evening featuring the acknowledged greats in this field, wrote: "The final artist of the evening, Bob Seeley from Detroit, was the least known and yet the most dramatic. It could be said that Seeley turned the piano into a conflagration with his hard-driving blues and boogie pieces."

Bob Seeley, the greatest boogie woogie pianist playing today, will give a rare New Jersey concert at the Watchung Arts Center on Friday evening, May 12. He's been there before and developed quite a following, with the intimate room allowing all seats to be within five rows of the piano. The tab is only $12 for two full sets, starting at 8 PM.

Based upon previous appearances the tickets will go quickly, so reservations are strongly encouraged. Seats may be reserved by calling (908) 753-0190, leaving a message if the phones are unattended. Tickets will be held for pickup at the performance.

The excitement generated when Seeley is at the keyboard is difficult to capture in words, but some quotes from other jazz pianists help paint a picture. "When I first heard Bob Seeley... in the late 1960s, I figured he was probably the best living boogie pianist," writes pianist/reviewer Tex Wyndham, noting that he hasn't changed that opinion since. 

"Bob Seeley has the feel for Black music, and can play it as well as any Black musician ever did," observed revered composer Eubie Blake. "He plays ragtime like it should be played," Blake continues. "I don't like to play when Bob Seeley is around." One critic, in awe of his stride and boogie-woogie technique, titled his review "A Terrifying Left Hand."

Called, in admiration, "a steel-fingered monster from Detroit" by the late stride piano master Dick Wellstood, Bob Seeley rarely ventures out onto the festival circuit, certainly not in the East. Thus his two visits to the New Jersey Jazz Society's Piano Spectacular amazed unprepared jazz fans. He drew standing ovations from the very first tune and, after he finally retired from the stage, every other pianist tried to top his boogie-woogie rendition of "Saint Louis Blues" -- and failed. 

Boogie woogie piano is currently quite popular in Europe. When Bob Seeley does travel, it is usually to Germany, Austria or France, where seasoned players gather around the piano to observe his flying fingers and learn something of his technique. Jazz fans have the same opportunity on May 12, a lot closer to home.


CONTACTS:

Watchung Arts Center (1 to 4 PM best) (908) 753-0190

Bruce M. Gast, Jazz Series, Publicity (908) 755-2483
Black and White photographs available upon request

Bob Seeley, Jazz Pianist (Detroit) (248) 366-9016