Philanthropy Technology & The Performing Arts

Tim Hockenberry is musician equally at home on piano, organ or trombone, each of which he brands with a unique, smoky and lusty authority. Tim is a virtuoso 'bluesman' who is also at home with jazz, swing and pop. Playing diverse venues like Clearwater Jazz Festival, The Plush Room and Martuni's sounds like a stretch for most musicians, but not to Hockenberry who plays each of those regularly as well as corporate gigs, top of the line private events, studio and sound track work for movies and television. This review is based on hearing Hockenberry live many times but is fresh from a May 2003 gig at The Plush Room in San Francisco where he captivated and cultivated another sold out house with charm and his musical mastery. Listening to his interpretation of 'Pennies From Heaven' is sensual and sublime, and watching him sing those lyrics as he masters the keyboard is almost an out of body experience. Resonant, smooth and smoker deep, almost like a mix of Joe Cocker and Louis Armstrong, Hockenberry weaves a story of his lifelong love of great music and the power and pain he feels in the songbook he claims with authority. Hockenberry is tall, blonde, blue eyed and all American with the body of an athlete, an infectious smile and a wry wit that welcomes men and women alike into his warm presence. 'Sweet Lorraine' and 'Georgia On My Mind' creak and groan like adorning mistresses being seduced and satiated. 'Blue and Sentimental,' 'Melancholy Baby,' 'I Thought About You' swing and sway with breezy and billowy abandon while 'Tea For Two' has the audience finger snapping and toe tapping together. This guy, his arrangements, band and powerful voice hold an audience as well as a jailer and chains. Tim Hockenberry is a busy artist and gives a lot of his time and talent to many worthy causes like Shanti, The Town School and a variety of pediatric and environmental organizations and agencies. Do yourself a favor and catch this terrifically talented artist live at your earliest opportunity. Visit his website at www.timhockenberry.com for schedules and CD information.