There's no place on the island as attractive as the American Bar on Front Street. If elegance is your thing, you'll find the cuisine and the music a perfect match to the marble floors, oriental rugs, and antiques.
Music is provided by a renowned pianist, Franko Richmond. Franko is one of those rare souls who can thrill a concert audience with classical excitement, yet has a feel for pop and jazz as well. His playing of Mel Torme's great "Christmas Song" had elements of al three. It was lovely and romantic. You could smell the chestnuts! "White Christmas" was also gorgeous, especially followed by "Greensleeves". We are truly blessed to have this kind of talent in Key West.
A Pulitzer winner told me that this island is a magnet to the gifted, who are both understood and appreciated here, and I believe it is true. Franko is articulate in any musical style, and has enough technique to play anything he wants to. His Liszt is marvelous.
As you've guessed, we were there last week preparing for Christmas. I was surprised to hear Franko's impressive arrangement of "The Little Drummer Boy", which really worked. So many classically trained players get schmaltzy when they try to combine styles. Franko always pleases, whatever your musical choice may be. "Silent Night" with beautiful arpeggios kept us `in the season'. The Knabe grand piano has a really beautiful sound, definitely one of the best on the island. But can Franko rock, you ask?
"Jingle Bell Rock" was a hoot, but Sting's "Fields Of Gold" was amazing, as was the Beatles' great "Here Comes theSun". "Yesterday" and "Hey, Jude" sparkled brightly. Jazz styling of "Sound Of Music" classics "My Favorite Things" and "Edelweiss" took us back. The emotional sledge hammer was "Summertime". If you love this Gershwin standard, and most of us do, you need to ask Franko to play it for you. It will convince you that there's no substitute for classical training if you have the feel for jazz.
Skipper Kripitz and others will be joining Franko this week. New Year's Eve will feature guest players Dave Snavely from the Big Apple and our own percusion genius Quint Lange. Franko Richmond is definitely an asset to our island! Stay cool.