Never has such a stellar cast of International Super Star Pianist been assembled before. Hear Leon Fleisher, Dick Hyman, Paul Shaffer and more pay tribute to the city that nurtured them as they each perform in their own inimitable style one great New York Song. Also on the CD are legendary jazzers, Frank Owens, Lee Musiker and Mike Renzi, cabaret star Billy Stritch, Axel Tosca, from the New York Studio Scene, Robbie Kondor, Bette Sussman, George Whitty, Glen Roven, and topping it all off is the ORIGNAL DEMO recorded by Kander and Ebb of their greatest hit, Theme from “New York, New York.”

“Keys to the City brings together tried and true New York-based standards that span nearly a century, freshly minted in the hands of some of the keyboard world’s most valuable players.

Our Big Apple sojourn begins with three disparate stylists. Robbie Kondor’s evocative, modally tinged shuffle treatment of ‘On Broadway’ sets the stage for Axel Tosca’s assiduous Latin romp through ‘Take the ‘A’ Train,’ followed by Dick Hyman’s patented modern stride rendition of ‘42nd Street.’

Earthy gospel and more than a few surprising chord changes characterize Bette Sussman’s nobly embellished take on ‘New York State of Mind.’ Leonard Bernstein’s ‘New York, New York,’ showcases George Whitty fusing DJ culture and sophisticated, polyrhythmic funk in ways that no doubt would have fascinated and delighted the composer.

Artists

Robbie Kondor (piano), Axel Tosca (piano), Dick Hyman (piano), Bette Sussman (vocals, backing vocals), Lee Nadel (electric bass), Shawn Pelton (drums), George Whitty (piano), Billy Stritch (piano), Mike Renzi (piano), Gary Haase (bass guitar), Frank Owens (piano), Paul Shaffer (vocals), Will Lee (backing vocals), Chris Parker (drums), Glen Roven (piano), Kinga Augustyn (violin), Kristina Reiko Cooper (cello), Lee Musiker (piano), Rick Cutler (drums), Fred Ebb (vocals), John Kander (piano), Leon Fleisher (piano)