Singer and pianist Michael Kaeshammer hits the stage at the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre in Duncan for a concert on Saturday, March 26.
Starting at 7:30 p.m., Kaeshammer will bring his unique blend of classical, jazz, blues, boogie-woogie, stride, and pop to a Cowichan Valley audience.
“When I play, I don’t worry about if it’s jazz or pop or classical or whatever; I just play what I hear and let the music decide what it wants to be,” said Kaeshammer. “Sure, there are different styles, different eras, different approaches, but when you really look at it, it’s all just music based on 12 notes.”
He has invested a lot, says a press release for the concert, “countless hours at the keyboard, hundreds of recordings, thousands of live performances, millions of miles in the air and on the road — all in pursuit of a mastery of 12 notes across 88 keys. But for the acclaimed Canadian pianist and singer, there is no set destination, no achievable end point on his path; it’s all about the journey itself, and that journey will always be ongoing.”
Born and raised in Germany, Kaeshammer began performing club, theatre, and festival stages throughout Europe in his early teens and did the same after moving to Canada’s West Coast in the mid-1990s.
Since then, he’s shared the stage with plenty of music greats, opening for the likes of Ray Charles and Anne Murray; stints backing singers like Marva Wright, the lates blue queen of New Orleans; co-working sessions with Randy Bachman and Colin James; official Olympic Games performances in several world cities; and TV specials on numerous networks, including 2020’s popular PBS Special Boogie On The Blues Highway.
“Many of those experiences have also helped to hone his skills as a vocalist and lyricist to the point that Kaeshammer is equally at home when he takes the mic as he is letting his fingers lead the melody, as perfectly showcased on his latest LP via True North Record, 2020’s Live In Concert.
“A show not to be missed!”