Over the last year or so, pianist Merlin Roxby has maintained a fortnightly residency at Prohibition Bar. Arriving fashionably late with piano stool in hand (no kidding), our ragtime wizard sat down at the house upright and began to play. The self-styled 'Wizard of the Quays' (that's 'quays' not 'keys') doesn't say much, in truth, he doesn't say anything! Merlin is a 'speak when spoken to' character, as a pianist, he's not one to blow his own trumpet.
The usual gathering of the casual listener, the bar fly and a trio of ragtime fans was augmented this evening by a welcome visitor from America. Merlin's pad is a curious collection of tunes, ranging from the dawn of ragtime to rhythm and blues, tv themes to late 20th century popular song and computer gaming earworms.
At present Merlin's repertoire is somewhat limited. As and when he finds the time, there's a gazillion and one tunes awaiting his ragtime treatment. Catch Merlin twice a month at Prohibition Bar, check the listings. Russell
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