The Monday Night Concert Series continues with “Bobby Schiff’s Tribute to Bill Evans,” at 7 p.m. Monday, July 2, at the Oak Park Arms, 408 S. Oak Park Ave Retirement Community. Kahn will perform some of the best songs of the 20th century.
William John Evans, known as Bill Evans (Aug. 16, 1929–Sept. 15, 1980) was an American jazz pianist. His use of impressionist harmony, inventive interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, and trademark rhythmically independent, "singing" melodic lines influenced a generation of pianists. He is considered by some to be the most influential post-World War II jazz pianist.
Bobby Schiff, who will entertain at the Oak Park Arms, is a composer, arranger, conductor, pianist and producer. On the Chicago and Los Angeles music scenes for more 45 years, he has led orchestras and bands, performed on piano and keyboards, directed, composed and arranged for and with the best - Mel Torme, Peggy Lee, Johnny Hartman, Frank D’Rone, Ella Fitzgerald, Barbara McNair, The Arbors and Bobby Rydell.
In 2001, he played Wayne Newton's overseas Thanksgiving USO tour, accompanying Ruth Pointer. Locally, he performs with Ron Hawking and the show “His Way” and is the pianist and arranger for Claudia Hommel’s “Faure Jazz Project.”
Schiff has been playing piano and keyboards professionally since he was in high school. His classical training in piano performance and composition began at age five. As a youngster, he worked several years at Universal Recording Studios in Chicago, honing his skills in the music production and publishing business.
His award winning commercial music business served such clients as Kimberly-Clark, Sesame Street, McDonald's, John Deere, Sears, Kraft and Hallmark.
A true music professional, Schiff served for many years as a national trustee and national vice-president of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (The Grammy's). He served as vice president of the Association of Professional Orchestra Leaders. He also maintains his memberships in ASCAP and ASMA.
On a day to day basis, Schiff is working primarily in Chicago as one of the nation's premier vocal arrangers and accompanists. Playing, arranging and producing albums for numerous independent artists, he also performs with his own jazz trio at several Chicago venues.
The Oak Park Arms is a rental retirement community which provides independent and assisted living apartments and a full schedule of activities and services. Furnished apartments are also available for a short-term stay - a weekend, a week, a month or longer.
The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Jill Wagner at 708-386-4040 or visit http://www.oakparkarms.com.
