Jazz artist Walt Wagner, who Frank DeMiero calls a “pianist extraordinaire,” has indeed had an extraordinary music career.
He’s a composer, recording artist, touring concertizer, TV performer and a favorite at many Northwest jazz events. For many years, Wagner, now in his mid-70s, was the piano man at the swanky Canlis restaurant in Seattle. His last concert there was recorded by Sub Pop Records.
Wagner performs Sunday evening in Edmonds with the Sno-King Community Chorale, directed by DeMiero, another of the region’s jazz greats.
The concert includes a medley of popular Beatles tunes, said DeMiero, who will return to the stage after an illness earlier this year.
Wagner, who was classically trained, has performed with Bob Hope, George Burns, Lily Tomlin, Roberta Flack, and on tour with 1968 Olympic figure skater Peggy Fleming. He enjoys performing in Sun Valley, Idaho, and is a former featured performer at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival at the University of Idaho.
A Seattle native, Wagner has composed works for the Seattle Philharmonic and the Washington Wind Symphony. He also composed and recorded “The Miracle” with the Seattle Symphony. He has recorded the music of Pink Floyd, an interpretation of the “Chariots of Fire” theme, a collection of jazz and pop tunes, a collection of European and American Christmas carols, and a collection of hymns.
At his Canlis gig, Wagner was known to perform Gershwin, The Beatles, Billy Joel, Joni Mitchell, Adele and even Metallica.
Audience members on Sunday will be in for a treat, as Wagner has not yet announced everything he plans to perform.
If you go
Pianist Walt Wagner performs in concert with the Sno-King Community Chorale at 7 p.m. April 9, Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 Fourth Ave. N. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $22 for seniors and students, and $10 for children. Call 425-275-9595. More at sno-kingchorale.org.
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