Marian McPartland on the challenges of performing live

Now, A Jazz Moment...

MUSIC: Ambiance, CD: Ambiance: An Encompassing Atmosphere, Halcyon TJA-10029, (cut 4)

As a young girl, NEA Jazz Master McPartland got her first taste of the challenges of playing for a live audience.

Marian McPartland: And Mummy would say, play something for auntie dear, and I would sit down to play and they would immediately resume talking and carrying on as if nothing happened. Then, when I had finished they would go, very nice dear.

In 1952, McPartland started her own trio and began a long residency at a famous New York nightclub. Though the venue was more distinguished, the challenges were the same.

Being at the Hickory House, I figured life hadn't changed much. I'm still doing the same thing. They're all gorging their steaks, and then they turn around, yeah very nice, waiter bring another drink. It's so funny, I'm still doing it.

MUSIC: Things Aint What They Used To Be, CD: Hickory House Trio Reprise, Concord CCD-4853-2, (cut 13)

This Jazz Moment with pianist Marian McPartland was created by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Marian McPartland on the challenges of performing live