Zez Confrey

George Gershwin wrote in his introduction to “Gershwin at the Keyboard,” a book of 18 of his own compositions self arranged for piano, that, [in terms of the “evolution of our popular pianistic style”] “Confrey’s contribution has been of a more permanent nature, as some of his piano figures found their way into serious American composition.” Zez Confrey is too often acknowledged only for his popular “novelty” works “Kitten on the Keys” and “Dizzy Fingers,” and this collection competently fills in the missing pieces of his legacy going as deeply as his intriguing three-piece “African Suite” and as far up to 1959 with one of his last compositions, “Fourth Dimension,” an impressive presentation of cross-hand rhythms. Also included is his “Concert Etude in F# minor” from 1929 which will prove his unique contribution to pianistic technique beyond his popular novelty compositions. Confrey’s 1926 “Ten Lessons for Piano” alone is worth the entire price of this collection. His compositions were often too difficult for the novice pianist of the 1920s (also most definitely too complex for today’s novices) and his “Ten Lessons” is an effective dive into syncopation, cross hands rhythms, and stride piano. Actively following his command of “practice twenty times a day” printed over each exercise will massively expand your command of the unique techniques. Top-quality scans.  Philip Iacone