Thursday Feb. 19 2026 10:00 am
Free of Charge
Part 3 of this series is all about “Fusion”, and two exciting decades of groundbreaking piano paths!
I. Freedom and Fusion: 1960’s
Taking a closer look at path changing and trailblazing ideas from: Herbie Hancock, Bill Evans & Vince Guaraldi.
II. Fusion and Fragmentation: 1970’s
Sounds and styles continue to morph thanks to a new movement led by: Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Marian McPartland, McCoy Tyner, Monty Alexander and Ahmad Jamal.
Getting Here
The Annex
7950 E. Thompson Peak Parkway
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
7950 East Thompson Peak Parkway
7950 East Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85255, USA
Led By
Nicole Pesce *
Pianist, keyboardist, composer and arranger Nicole Pesce entertaining audiences with a unique blend of virtuosity, humor, and pizzazz. Nicole’s “Happy Birthday Variations” video has over six million views on YouTube, and Nicole was recognized by Arizona Foothills Magazine with their “Best of 2014” Award for Best Local Band/Musician. With a repertoire consisting of over 12,000 memorized songs, Nicole is often dubbed “the human iPod,” and is hailed as “one of the top ten musicians to hear in Phoenix,” by the Arizona Republic.
Nicole has performed for George Benson, Muhammad Ali, Ricky Martin, President George HW Bush, Waylon Jennings, Taylor Hicks, Janet Napolitano, Shaquille O’Neal, President Jimmy Carter, Chris Rock, Steve Nash, The Gypsy Kings, Glen Campbell, Margaret Cho and Brian Setzer. She’s appeared with American Idol contestant David Hernandez, The Moscow Ballet, Zowie Bowie, and the casts of Mary Poppins, Young Frankenstein, and Mamma Mia!
* returning Musicfest artist