Painted Pianos: Keys to a Fun Event

Shoreline artist K J Bateman works on her Yellow Piano
This piano will be played by Deems Tsutakawa at Piano Time
Photo by Keith McGlashan

Piano Time-Shoreline debuts August 2nd!   Local jazz luminaries Bill Anschell and Deems Tsutakawa will be tickling the ivories on artist-painted pianos at Shoreline City Hall and the Park at Town Center from 6:00-8:30 that evening for the opening Arts al Fresco event. 

Adding to the fun will be the Nightingale Dancers, featuring Joyce Lehner, Susan Knudson, and Elizabeth Kellog, who will be using Jennifer Carroll's choreography as a thematic guide for jazzy improvisations.

Seattle native Bill Anschell returned to the Shoreline area in 2002 after spending 25 years studying, composing, and performing across the country and around the world. Anschell has played and/or recorded with a host of jazz greats including Richard Davis, Ron Carter, Benny Golsen and Russell Malone. During the 1990’s his trio’s highlights included the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, the Montreux Atlanta Festival and four extensive tours of South America.  In 2001 his piano work was featured in the soundtrack of the PBS movie, “Old Settler.” Since 2003, Anschell’s original compositions have received widespread cable and network exposure, appearing on programs including BC’s “The West Wing” and HBO’s acclaimed series “The Wire.”  

As a Seattleite, Anschell had the honor of playing a weekly gig with Northwest jazz legend Floyd Standifer for the final two years before his passing.  In 2005, Anschell received a Golden Ear Award as the “Northwest Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year,” and in 2006 his trio was named the “Best Northwest Acoustic Jazz Ensemble.”  Golden Ears are administered by Earshot Jazz based on open voting by the Seattle jazz community. Anschell has also performed in Shoreline for the Arts Council and is a repeat performer at the North City Jazz Walk.

Deems, a member of a well-known Seattle arts family, has established himself internationally as a distinctive and imaginative writer, arranger, producer and bandleader, as well as explosive solo pianist. With his roots planted firmly in an Asian American upbringing, Deems' music has evolved into a delectable blend of R/B, pop and mainstream jazz that he calls "contemporary soul jazz."  His instrumental hit single Tough Tofu has achieved worldwide airplay.

One good listen to this artist's incredible music will take the listener on a rhythm ride through a myriad of modern emotions and sensual pleasures that Deems promises will soothe your soul. He says, "anything good that can happen will happen so please enjoy my music and as I always promise you, you'll love it!”

Within the past year, Jennifer Carroll’s choreography has been seen in NY, Boston, Cherry Valley (CA,) Bangladesh, and the Good Sheperd Center and Broadway Performance Hall in Seattle. The Nightingale Dancers have been seen in a wide variety of venues, including proscenium theatre (On the Boards etc), street parades, art festivals, galleries, schools, charity auctions, and bars. Perhaps you’ve even seen them as dancing crayons.

Anschell and Deems will be performing throughout the evening, but during breaks you are welcome to play a tune as well.  So, come on out to Arts al Fresco on August 2nd and be part of the action!

For more information contact Ros Bird 206-801-2661.