If you want to shadow pianist Stef Scaggiari this New Year's Eve, you'll have to do more than follow him across Church Circle. You'll have to chase him across musical genres as well.
Annapolis' First Citizen of the keyboard will make his First Night solo debut at Key Auditorium on the campus of St. John's College in a concert featuring the hot and cool jazz sounds that have made Mr. Scaggiari such a fixture at the King of France Tavern for the past nine years.
But at 6:45 p.m., 9:15 p.m. and 11 p.m., the classically trained pianist will head over to First Presbyterian Church on Duke of Gloucester Street to accompany soprano Laura Mann in a recital highlighted by works of Rachmaninoff, Mozart, Puccini and selections from "Phantom of the Opera." Versatility -- extraordinary versatility -- is clearly the name of the game for this outstanding artist who, on any given day, can be found plunking out a Bach harpsichord continuo for Ernie Green's Annapolis Chorale, soloing in Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue" with the Annapolis Symphony, or elevating the talent level of whoever happens to stroll in at a King of France Monday Night Jam.
"It really is a great balance," Mr. Scaggiari says. "Of course I play mostly jazz but the classical is very important. These days with all the machines that have taken over the recording industry, I need all the live experiences I can get. Live performances -- jazz and classical both -- are where you can really be imaginative when you play."
Imaginative playing is what Mr. Scaggiari is all about, and his career continues to move in exciting new directions. He has a performer's certificate from Rochester's vaunted Eastman School of Music and a master's degree from the Peabody Conservatory.
He recently returned from sessions in California where he recorded a compact disc for the Concord label with bassist Jim Huart and drummer Colin Bailey. Mr. Huart serves as Natalie Cole's conductor and has recorded with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Carlos Jobim and Johnny Mandel. "What excitement to vTC play with a guy like that!" Mr. Scaggiari says.
The disc is due out this spring.
He continues to accompany top-quality singers such as Ethel Ennis, Sue Matthews and Carol Sloan and has recently recorded another disc with his local Global Function compadres: Mark Russell on bass, drummer Greg Grainger and percussionist Gali Sanchez.
Their 1991 CD "Global Function" is something no local jazz lover should be without. From the cool elegance of "Free Sample," to the evocative introspection of "Good-Bye," to the breezy good humor of "Window Shopping," it showcases the talents of a true Annapolis original: a pianist who can swing from Mozart to Monk and back again and still make the fireworks with plenty to spare.
SUNDIAL
You can hear excerpts from some of the First Night performers if you call Sundial at 783-1800 and punch in the four-digit code 6262. For other Sundial numbers, see the SunSource directory on Page 2A.
To receive, by fax, a copy of the First Night map, dial Sunfax at (410) 332-6123. After you hear the greeting, punch in information number 5656.