If you enjoy hearing a great sounding grand piano played with flair and exquisite technique, head for the American Bar on Front Street. The interior is gorgeous with oriental rugs, marble floors, a seven foot Knabe piano, and a great restaurant menu. On Thursday, Friday, or Sunday nights a rare and talented artist, Franko Richmond takes the stage. You are most likely to hear your classical favorites in the first set, which Franko plays alone, and believe me, the man can play classical music. He has a CD recorded live which features Beethoven, Schumann, Liszt, and others that does not have one mistake. That's really amazing and rare.
Skipper Kripitz, drummer/percussionist extraordinary, joins Franko for the remaining sets. The idiom is jazz and pop, and the blend of musicians is heavenly. The versatile duo begins with a sprightly "Autumn Leaves," with Skipper laying down perfect rhythm accents under the melody. Mr. Kripitz is a colorist, giving each song a new dimension. They change the tempo to a slower feeling. This standard is a perfect showcase for two formidable talents. Both have tremendous technique.
Richmond was Earl Wild's protogee for classical and Ahmad Jamal's for jazz, both world class artists. Skipper almost seems to channel his playing to complement Franko's. They are totally in sync. Kripitz's creative mind finds out of the ordinary acompaniment, always unexpected but divinely right. Next came the great Dizzy Gillespie's wonderful "Night In Tunisia." This one is way cool. Latin standards, anyone? "Poinciana" your branches speak to me of love" takes me back to childhood. My father played this one. Skipper's classy cymbal work is impressive.
Franko and Skipper have superb dynamics, and tempo changes are absolutely no challange. "What's New" is dreamy and romantic with Skipper using small soft percussion effects on the recitative measures, then sliding seamlessly into rhythm. These two extremely talented men are so in tune with each other it's as if they were sharing one highly creative mind. Their volume is always perfect, exciting without ever assaulting your ears.
Franko Richmond is also a gifted song writer. "Cuba Blue" is superb, with tension building with the melody. "Georgia" is driving blue soul, with Skipper adding the strip club back beats where they're called for. Ask for it, it's awesome! "What Is This Thing Called Love" has a nice easy groove. "Summertime" is poignant, inspiring a waiter to sing it. A beautiful little girl named Ariana (daughter of owner Dimitri) joins Franko on the piano bench. She comps chords along with him on "Chariots Of Fire."
I've been told the cuisine is wonderful. The music certainly is. Go down and spend an enchanted evening with two musicians who can't fail to please you. You're welcome! Stay cool.