The Harlem stride piano master lays in an unmarked grave in Maspeth, and his most dedicated followers—academics and musicians alike—are raising funds to see that insult negated. The all-day affair begins with a symposium about James P’s accomplishments, complete with artifacts from Rutgers. The evening finds 10 pianists (everyone from Ted Rosenthal to Ethan Iverson to Dick Hyman) grabbing a half hour each to romp through Johnson’s book. Watch those digits fly; “Carolina Shout” to “You’ve Got to Be Modernistic” ain’t exactly easy on the wrists.
Sun., Oct. 4, 3:30 p.m., 2009