
The Playground
The Simply Music blog

Have you met Hazel Scott?
Hazel Scott was a Trinidadian-born jazz and classical pianist, singer, and actor. She was a critically acclaimed performing artist and an outspoken critic of racial discrimination and segregation. Scott was a child musical prodigy, receiving scholarships to study at the Juilliard School when she was…
- Written by Gretta Dunn on Oct 14, 2020
- 'The Hazel Scott Show'." ... she was also known for playing 2 piano's at a time!!, classical music, female, female musician, music, music education, musician, pianist, piano, piano concerto, piano player, piano. She was prominent as a jazz singer throughout the 1930s and 1940s. In 1950, she became the first African American to host her own TV show, simply music, the playground

Have you met Martha Argerich?
Born June 5, 1941 Martha Argerich is an Argentine-Swiss classical concert pianist. She made her concert debut at the age of 8 and is considered to be one of the greatest pianists of the recorded era!! Here’s a video of her playing her signature…
- Written by Gretta Dunn on Sep 16, 2020
- classical music, female, female musician, music, music education, musician, pianist, piano, piano concerto, piano player, simply music, the playground

Teacher, Singer, Songwriter & Mother, Katie Knipp hits the Billboard Charts [Interview]
Leon Moore sits down with Sacramento-based Simply Music Piano Teacher and Blues artist, Katie Knipp and discusses her latest album, “Take It With You”, her recent SAMMIE award win (think of it like the Sacramento Grammys) and becoming a Billboard featured artist. Katie, a teacher…
- Written by SM Admin on Jul 29, 2019
- Blues, interview, katie knipp, Leon Moore, music, music education, pianist, piano, professional musician, simply music, teach piano, the playground

Get to Know World-Class Jazz Musician, Joe Gilman [Interview]
Leon Moore sits down with the wonderful Joe Gilman to get to know a little about him and his background as a professional jazz musician. Joe shares his musical inspirations over the years, and how he approached playing the songs that are outlined in the…
- Written by SM Admin on May 22, 2019
- interview, jazz, Jazz musician, Joe Gilman, Leon Moore, music, music education, pianist, piano, professional musician, simply music, the playground

Dr. Karl Paulnack’s Welcoming Address
Recently a colleague reminded me of a letter that I sent out to all of our teachers in early 2009. The letter is a transcript of a Welcome Address delivered to freshmen at Boston Conservatory. The address was presented by Karl Paulnack, pianist and Director…
- Written by Neil Moore on Dec 20, 2010
- boston conservatory, founder, karl paulnack, music, musician, neil moore, pianist, piano, simply music, students, teachers, the playground

Dr. Karl Paulnack’s Welcoming Address
Recently a colleague reminded me of a letter that I sent out to all of our teachers in early 2009. The letter is a transcript of a Welcome Address delivered to freshmen at Boston Conservatory. The address was presented by Dr. Karl Paulnack, pianist and…
- Written by Neil Moore on Dec 20, 2010
- boston conservatory, founder, karl paulnack, music, musician, neil moore, pianist, piano, simply music, students, teachers, the playground