i love south carolina

This month I was invited to perform in my childhood town of Spartanburg, South Carolina. I had not been back to perform since I was 16 when I played the Schumann Piano Concerto with the Spartanburg Philharmonic.  Keith Plumley orchestrated the entire event which was at the beautiful Unitarian Universalist Church where he is Music Director. We did a program with 2 pianos (supplied by Case Brothers Pianos, mmmmwwaahhhh) violin & cello. My husband Jay Bianchi accompanied me on piano as well as Bonnie Lee Mizzell on violin & Ted Luckenburg on cello. They did an incredible job!

Local writer, Janice Baynes wrote a wonderful article promoting me which you can find at http://www.goupstate.com/article/20100715/ARTICLES/7151006/1097/entertainment?Title=Renowned-pianist-Bianchi-returns-for-rare-performance  Thank you Janice!

The audience was generous & incredibly appreciative.  It was truly a magical musical experience for me.  I sang mostly covers with our own interpretation and chose the songs to reflect the southern rock/pop music that I grew up listening to.  The Marshall Tucker Band is from Spartanburg, so I did a swampy, ethereal version of Toy Caldwell's CAN'T YOU SEE.  This song is a beautiful & haunting composition that The MTB made famous with their jangly guitars, earthy vocals and jazzy flute.  I was a little nervous about presenting it in such a stripped down, exposed manner, but it was received with open arms & enthusaism from this gracious southern audience. 

I can't wait to come back again and play.  I heart Spartanburg.