Steppin' Out

Story

Lee Shaw's concert focuses on women who wrote songs

By Tiffany Carney

In an upcoming Steinway Society performance, women will be in the limelight.

Steinway Society the Bay Area presents international pianist and composer Lee Shaw, joined by bassist Rich Syracuse, who will highlight female songwriters who wrote popular songs from 1862 to 1940.

The two are scheduled to perform as part of an annual piano series, Oct. 28, 7 p.m. at Le Petit Trianon Theatre, 72 N. Fifth St. in downtown San Jose.

Although the duo regularly performs in the New York area and even internationally, this will be their first time performing on the West Coast.

Shaw's program will begin with a performance called, "Did Women Really Write All Those Songs?"

Shaw first researched female composers after she was scheduled to perform in March, and the program director informed her it was national women's month.

"I was astonished when I discovered the songs that had been written by women," says Shaw, who found out that even "Happy Birthday" was written by two female school teachers.

Lee has performed the program on nearly 10 occasions, and it has been well received every time.

"Audiences have responded very favorably," Shaw says.

Throughout the performance, Shaw will also announce song titles and give a brief biography of the composer for each song.

The performance is more than just a concert; it is an entertaining and informative experience, she says.

Shaw, a composer herself, will also perform some of her original jazz pieces after intermission.

The Steinway Society piano series concerts usually feature classical performers, but this musician is known for her jazz style.

"I am a jazz musician," she says proudly.

Shaw is well known in her hometown of Ada, Okla., and in 1993 was inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. Shaw now resides and teaches private piano lessons in Albany, N.Y., and is an adjunct professor at the College of St. Rose.

At age 5, Shaw started playing piano and was strongly influenced by her music teacher who played by ear. At age 9, Shaw also mastered that talent, which came in handy as she transitioned from being a classical pianist into a jazz musician.

Soon after, Shaw became part of a jazz trio with a bassist and a drummer.

"I passionately love music and have all my life," says Shaw, who realizes how fortunate she is to have found her passion at such a young age.

Syracuse, who started playing bass at age 10 and performing at 14, also lives in New York. He plays both string and electric bass in clubs and festivals throughout the state. The duo has performed together for more than 15 years, but never rehearses together.

The secret to their success--trust and listening, she says.

Often Shaw will write a song and Syracuse will hear it for the first time on stage and play accordingly.

"We inspire one another and support one another and trust one another," Shaw says, "which is a very important part in playing music, especially improvised music."

When Syracuse is not teaching or touring, he is a professor of string and electric bass studies at Skidmore College in Saratoga, N.Y.

Tickets range from $30 to $45 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, call Steinway Society the Bay Area at 408.295.6500.