Ken Bichel: Birthday Celebration Concert

When Ken Bichel decided in the early 2000s to move to San Miguel, he left behind an enviable professional life in New York City, one that had distinguished him from the majority of pianists who, like Bichel, were trained at Juilliard. He had been Judy Collins’ music director; recorded and performed with Billy Joel, Aretha Franklin, Peggy Lee, Placido Domingo, and many other stars; appeared in the original cast of a hit Broadway musical, winning him a Drama Desk Award; played on big-budget movie soundtracks; and concertized in venues from La Scala opera house in Milan to Carnegie Hall. He was just wrapping up a recording with Carly Simon when his wife Wendy, on behalf of Ken and herself, purchased a house in San Miguel as a real estate investment.

Ken has made San Miguel his home for two decades, during which time he has developed a near-cult status with local musicians. Teaching and other pursuits have taken more of his time, while his concerts have been relatively rare events. It has been more than seven years since his last solo appearance in San Miguel.

But this month, Ken turns 80, and he is commemorating the occasion with a one-time special concert at St. Paul’s Church, El Cardo 6, on Thursday, November 20, at 5pm. Ken is in fine form, and his program will run from poetic gems, such as his remarkable blending of Chopin and Antonio Carlos Jobim, to virtuosic showpieces, like his own Cervantino-commissioned piece “Whitewater.”

Bichel never gives a solo concert without including some of his prodigious improvisations, which can be based on suggestions from the audience or even on works of art or photography.

Judy Collins has called Bichel “a pianist of the highest order,” and Mandy Patinkin has described Ken’s music making as “glorious.”

All seats for this event are reserved. The prices run from 350 to 750 pesos, depending on the section.