One of Europe’s most authentic and spirited blues and jazz piano players, Dom Pipkin brings his acclaimed one man show to Quay Arts in Newport with a rollercoaster ride through the rich world of New Orleans, featuring astonishing stories and some truly breath taking piano.
Brothels, and barrelhouses, love, sex and tragedy, chasing the ‘Rushin’ lady’, voodoo spells and Mardi Gras Queens, the colourful lives of Jelly Roll Morton, Professor Longhair and the drug-fuelled funk and psychedelia of Dr John and James Booker are conjured up in all their technicoloured glory and in their rawest setting; a man with a piano, a glass of bourbon, and a panama hat.
For four years Pipkin was pop sensation Paloma Faith’s right hand man, with the star literally draped over his grand piano on stages and TV shows all over the globe. “We played the main stage for a couple of years at the Isle of Wight Festival and Bestival… all great shows, such a great atmosphere” Pipkin says.
Pipkin has performed extensively in New Orleans, and shared stages with international icons such as; Allen Toussaint, Dr John, and Screamin’ Jay Hawkinks. Grammy award winner Jon Cleary invites him to jaw onstage whenever he’s in the Crescent City.His session credits range from being a private piano teacher to Jonathan Ross, to working with Paul Weller, Morcheeba, David Bynre and Laura Myvula to name a few.
“The piano show is where my heart really is” Pipkin explains. “However, I’ve made New Orleans my main destination for the last 20 years, in and around my touring work. I’ve learned at the feet of some of the greatest players there. There’s such a rich history of blues, Cuban sounds, old time piano and smoking boogie. I’ve always enjoyed my trips to the Island, and can’t wait to bring this to the lovely intimate space of Antony Minghella Theatre in the Quay Arts Centre.”
The Show is this Friday (the 7th of April) starting at 7:30pm and running till 11:00pm. Tickets are available at Quay Arts for £10.
