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| Johnny Morris |
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| Johnny Morris |
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| Johnny Morris |
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| Johnny Morris & Earl Knauss |
I wanted to hear
Johnny Morris play piano for quite a while but never had the opportunity until Tuesday March 27. Johnny has been playing and singing at
The Sandbar Restaurant in
La Quinta for many years. After hearing Johnny play a couple of great
Hoagy Carmichael gems,
"The Nearness of You" and
"Stardust" it was very clear why
The Sandbar keeps Johnny playing year after year. He plays standards like he wrote them and for good reason. In addition to being a talented pianist, Johnny is also an acclaimed published arranger sought after by both singers and pianists. He wrote major arrangements for
"Steinway's Most Popular Piano Solo Series". He recently performed as the musical director for the sold out, highly acclaimed
Derrik Lewis' Musical Chairs' production of
"Polka Dots & Moonbeams" presenting the songs of
Jimmy Van Heusen at the
Indian Wells Theater in Indian Wells. While Johnny feels very comfortable playing for the locals that call the
Sandbar home, he also is very much at home playing in some of the most upscale restaurants in New York City like the
Oak and Edwardian Rooms in the
Plaza,
the Hotel Carlyle and the Rainbow Room.
La Quinta calls itself
"The Gem of the Desert" but now I know there is a second gem in the desert,
Johnny Morris!
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be at a party with
Cole Porter,
Jerome Kern,
Oscar Hammerstein II, Ira Gershwin and George Gershwin playing the piano? Well now you don't have to wonder, get over to
The Sandbar Restaurant on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Sunday, sit back, close your eyes and listen to the wonderful sounds of Johnny Morris.
As is the custom in the desert, there is always someone who wants to sing and tonight was no exception. Tonight's guest singer was
Earl Knauss who sang a few songs along with Johnny's wonderful playing. If I was a singer, and I am not, I would want
Johnny Morris playing for me! It doesn't get any better.
