Recent Recordings by Area Artists
For decades we have enjoyed the piano and vocal magic of Mark Lincoln Braun — aka “Mr. B” — in venues all over Southeastern Michigan: the Blind Pig, Ann Arbor Art Fair, Kerrytown Concert House, The Ark, as a guest with Paul Keller, in Brighton, in Detroit and more. During these decades, he has developed a chemistry with audiences, pulling us in with rhythm, melody, dynamics, and more than a little drama. On a charmed night in 2024, Braun teamed with his great friend, drummer/percussionist Pete Siers for a duo concert at Kerrytown Concert House: Blues Piano Today!
Mr. B will be off the scene for a while as he recovers from hand surgeries. I suggest you add this session to your collection to tide you over until he returns with his piano-pulsing storytelling. Blues Piano Today! Recorded Live at the Kerrytown Concert House features many of Braun’s best-loved original tunes, covers of classic piano blues and moments of prayerful reflection.
The set opens with a flag-waving “Hillbilly Holiday.” Siers provides punch, humor, and energy inspiring both Mr. B and the audience. A Professor Longhair favorite, “Mardi Gras In New Orleans,” follows. Mr. B demonstrates another of his musical gifts: whistling all the notes! Both Braun and Siers are New Orleans regulars. They know the sinuous flow of New Orleans style piano.
In his decades of live performances, Mr. B has learned how to pace a program. The third song on Blues Piano Today is a lingering love letter to a beautiful, departed lover: “St. James Infirmary.” Braun imbues the New Orleans ballad with sincere passion for the lost love. The mood is once again jaunty and upbeat when Braun and Siers launch into “Mac Meets M’Jumbe.” Siers syncopates while Mr. B dances over the ebony and ivory. Braun and Siers then take us back to New Orleans and Louisiana for “Mojo Hand” with frottoir effects and colorful asides that the audience enjoyed immensely.
One of Mr. B’s best follows — “Hallelujah Train.” Perhaps you recall the big band versions of this anthem. As you listen, you may harken back to those sessions, but you will not miss the big band as Braun fills the room with piano command and Siers responds in kind, filling in any gaps. Jerry McCain’s blues ode to a powerful female presence, “She’s Tough,” is next. Mr. B understands and appreciates the relationship of a great partner. This tune is as sincere as the day is long. The two tunes that ensue are equally sincere. They are Mr. B’s odes to his early blues piano professors: Ann Arbor and Detroit’s Boogie Woogie Red and Chicago’s Little Brother Montgomery. “Rockin’ With Red” lopes at a classic medium boogie-woogie pace. Listen for B’s left hand answering his right and vice-versa. “Little Brother” is respectful and reverent. Eurreal “Little Brother” Montgomery was more than a boogie-woogie piano pounder. Mr. B showcases Montgomery’s delicate aspect in this affectionate tribute.
Perhaps with a nod to Detroit boogie-woogie master Bob Seeley, Mr. B and Siers launch into W.C. Handy’s “St. Louis Blues.” This is a testament to the power of improvisation. In the entire nine minutes, Mr. B elaborates and insinuates on the timeless quality of the tune and hard-earned mature piano technique.
Mr. B appreciates friendships and relationships. He and Dr. arwulf arwulf, legendary WCBN radio host and former host of “The Sunday Best” on WEMU, have a deep and abiding bond. Mr. B composed “My Sunday Best” in honor of Dr. Arwulf for his WEMU theme song. It is now a theme song for Mr. B and as you take it in, you’ll understand why this piece means so much to him. Over the years, he has imbued it with new improvisational approaches, keeping it ever fresh. I especially enjoyed the quote of Duke Ellington’s “It Don’t Mean A Thing” and Siers’ bouncing beat.
Blues Piano Today! closes on a reverent and prayerful note with “Prayer For Web.” Web was Webster Kirksey, EMU basketball legend, respected Ann Arbor educator, enthusiastic jazz and blues lover and dear friend to Mr. B. Web understood the mind-body-soul connection for good health, as does Mr. B. They worked out together on basketball courts and shared their love of music. Mr. B shared his love for Kirksey at the end of the session. It is now universal.
Blues Piano Today! by Mark Lincoln Braun with special ßguest Pete Siers is a timeless, universal statement of the power of love expressed in piano blues and jazz. Visit megawavemusic.com or mrbpiano.com for more information. May listening to Blues Piano Today satiate your desire for Mr. B’s unique piano talent while you await his recovery and return to blues, jazz, piano and vocal mastery.