I just watched a segment about the 19th century African American pianist
Blind Tom on a PBS television show called "Life 360. Having not seen this
show before, I can't tell you the format or concept of the show, but this
segment centered around a present-day pianist who apparently tours the
country presenting the music of this quite remarkable individual. Sadly, I
failed to catch this man's name
I have only heard a very few snippets of Blind Tom's music, but from this
TV show it became apparent that this man was in the same musical league as
Liszt, Gottschalk and other great piano virtuosi of the 19th
century. Incidentally, the issue was raised in this show as to whether or
not Blind Tom was autistic. Regardless of that issue, seeing this show has
piqued my curiosity about Blind Tom. I seem to recall that he made some
early hand-played rolls for QRS, but I may be mistaken. Also, am I
mistaken also in my vague recollection that Blind Tom's Chickering piano is
now owned by an AMICA member?
I wonder if perhaps someone else on the MMD has seen this episode of "Life
360", or can perhaps tell the rest of us who the gentlemen is who is
touring the country playing Blind Tom's quite remarkable music.
Bryan "Catt" Cather
Arlington, TX (with a new email address!)
|