Judy Carmichael, a Grammy-nominated pianist, is one of the most skilled interpreters of swing and stride piano. Her nickname was “Stride” by Count Basie, in recognition of the skill and physical demands she has when playing this style of jazz piano. Judy’s new CD, “Come and Get It”, features her singing debut on everything from Peggy Lee-inspired standards to funny takes on Fats Waller songs. Judy Carmichael, a native Californian, moved to New York in early 1980’s. Since then she has been busy with concert tours around the globe. She has toured extensively for the United States Information Agency in India, Brazil, Portugal, and Singapore. Ms. Carmichael, a jazz musician sponsored by USA in 1992, toured China. The critics described the musician as “astounding,” flawless, and captivating (The New York Times). She has performed at a number of venues, including Carnegie Hall and the Peggy Guggenheim Museum, Venice. This was the first concert presented by the museum. Other performances included programs with Joel Grey and Michael Feinstein. Ms. Carmichael also performed comedy skits, performed her music on radio or TV, and gave private recitals to everyone from Rod Stewart and Robert Redford up to President Clinton and Gianni Agnanelli. Judy Carmichael, one of few musicians who see jazz through the lens of its entire history, is among a select group of musicians. She has chosen to study jazz piano starting from its earliest roots. This allows her to explore the music in depth and give it a fresh, dynamic interpretation (Washington Post). Carmichael was awarded a major grant by the National Endowment for the Arts to share her knowledge about jazz piano and to talk with college students about the history and evolution of jazz piano. Judy Carmichael was paired with four jazz giants, Red Callendar (Harold Jones), Freddie Green, Marshall Royal, and Red Callendar in “Two Handed Stride”, which earned her a Grammy nomination. She is the author of two books about stride piano, as well as numerous articles on jazz. She is one of the few Jazz pianists to be honored as a Steinway Artist and has served on many music panels at the National Endowment for the Arts. A number of jazz anthologies have featured her. She was even surprised to find herself in Murder Times Two, a Simon and Schuster murder mystery, as Judy Carmichael, the main suspect’s favorite pianist, in one of the cases. Ms. Carmichael can be found in “Who’s Who in the East”, in “Who’s Who in Finance and Industry in America”, in “Who’s Who in American Woman”, in “Who’s Who in American Women in Jazz”, in the “Encyclopedia of Jazz” and in “Who’s Who in the World”. Ms. Carmichael is a regular guest on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion. She has also been featured on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition, Entertainment Tonight, CBS’ Sunday Morning With Charles Kuralt, and most recently, with Charles Osgood. Her 20th anniversary is celebrated with the production and hosting of Judy Carmichael’s Public Radio Show Judy Carmichael’s Jazz Inspired. It airs on more than 170 stations across North America, as well as on NPR NOW Channel 134 (Sirius/XM Satellite Radio). Her recordings and music books are available at www.judycarmichael.com, iTunes or by mail order through C
