After the great reaction to Hot Box 96, we decided to do a second edition devoted to the fantastic 42 volume series of solo piano recitals known as the Maybeck Series. Recorded over 6 years from 1990 to 1996, the concerts took place in the wood lined hall designed by the now iconic architect Bernard Maybeck, with just 50 seats in the audience and a perfectly tuned Yamaha grand piano.

Long unavailable on LP or CD it is now available on Spotify, but here Donald takes us through more of the stellar pianists who featured - Gerry Wiggins, Toshiko Akyoshi, Cedar Walton and more.

We are always seeking recordings by Irish artists and Irish inspired recordings, so if you know of any, let us know. The Hot Box is released on www.jazzireland.ie every 2 weeks, please tell your friends about The Hot Box and share it on social media. Questions, comments and requests to

Track list for The Hot Box #097 - The Maybeck Recitals Part 2

1. Toshiko Akyoshi: The Village

2. Alan Broadbent: I Hear a Rhapsody

3. Alan Broadbent: You’ve Changed

4. Don Friedman: In Your Own Sweet Way

5. George Cables: Bess You Is My Woman Now

6. Gerry Wiggins: Maybeck Blues

7. Ellis Larkins: Lady Be Good

8. Ellis Larkins: Blue Skies

9. Cedar Walton: Bremond’s Blues

Author: Donald Helme

Donald presented Jazz Alley, Ireland’s number one jazz show, on RTE Lyric FM from the station’s first week on air until the end of 2015. “I am not a musician, and have never pretended to be anything other than a lifetime fan with loads of experience and hopefully, good ears.”

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