Lynne Arriale
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, May 13
Where: The Arts Council Smithgall Center, 331 Spring St. SW, Gainesville
Cost: $30 for individuals and $125 for table of 6, but all are sold out; additional seats available in atrium; waiting list started
More info: 770-534-2787 or www.theartscouncil.net
At age 3, Lynne Arriale picked up a toy piano and started to play. She hasn’t put the instrument down since.
Now Arriale is an international musician, performing on concert and festival stages across the world in the past 25 years. And she has become an International Great American Jazz Piano Competition first prize winner and named one of the top CDs of 2012 by JAZZIZ Magazine.
But all jazz musicians begin with the basics.
For Arriale, it began with classical music. In fact, the Milwaukee native was classically trained until age 25. And music has always been a part of Arriale.
“There’s no point of arrival. It’s always a path to expand,” Arriale said. “You can work on it for your entire life and enjoy the process.”
She chose to pursue jazz in particular for its spontaneity and improvisational aspect.
“It’s magical, and that’s what attracted me,” she said. “It gives you the opportunity to be in the moment with the music.”
Arriale will perform Saturday, May 13, at the Evenings of Intimate Jazz concert in Gainesville. The show will be at 8 p.m. at 331 Spring St. SW in Gainesville. Arriale will play in a trio with Billy Thornton and Marlon Patton on drums.
Tickets are $30 for individuals, but are sold out, according to The Arts Council website at www.theartscouncil.net. Additional seats are typically available in the atrium the night of the concert and a waiting list has been started. Interested parties must call 770-534-2787 to be added.
Arriale spoke to The Times before her concert.
Question: Why did you want to make music your profession?
Answer: I love playing it! I love how it reaches people
Q: What has been your favorite place to perform?
A: Wherever the next concert is!
Q: How does performing in a small town like Gainesville compare to some of the bigger places you’ve performed?
A: People are people. Whether you play for a 100 or 1,000, it’s about projecting your vision of the music and reaching out and hopefully speaking to people through the music.
Q: What do you hope listeners take out of your music?
A: I hope they feel what we’re feeling and go on an emotional journey with us together and get away from it all. They’re engrossed in the music and feel a little lighter.
For more information, visit www.theartcouncil.net or www.lynnearriale.com.