Roger Kellaway discusses his decision to pursue music as a career

Listen Now Add to Play List Read Transcript (File Size: 0.08MB)

Roger Kellaway talks about playing standards

Listen Now Add to Play List Read Transcript (File Size: 0.33MB)

Roger Kellaway discusses his preference for particular instruments

Listen Now Add to Play List Read Transcript (File Size: 0.32MB)

If you are experiencing problems playing audio on this site,
please update to the latest version of Flash.

Transcription

Q: “You are somebody who really cares about the instrument…”

A: “I championed the Blüthner. I learned about it from 1970 when I was working with George Balanchine. I told him that I was thinking about buying a piano and he said, "Don't buy a piano until you buy a ... you know, try a Blüthner." And shortly after that, I was working with Don Ellis in Pasadena and during the break, he said, "What are you doing? Anything, you know, let's go around the corner to the Blüthner Piano Shop." I said, "Great. Let's do it." And Kasimoff, Bill Kasimoff, who still has I think maybe the only Blüthner dealership in America, said, "I've got a six-foot piano that I haven't got any room for. Do you have room for it?" I said, "Sure." So I played that for a year.”

Interviewer: “Really?”

Roger Kellaway: “And then I ordered the seven-six because there really is a difference between the two, but I really love the piano.”