By Andrew Bell
Texarkana Gazette
TEXARKANA, Texas -- "Main Street Souvenirs," presented by pianist Scott Kirby, will be performed at Texarkana College's Stilwell Humanities Music Hall on Thursday.
Kirby has a special interest in one of Texarkana's most famous native sons, Scott Joplin, an essential chapter of ragtime's history.
"Scott Kirby is a Scott Joplin and Ragtime expert, but he's also branched out into doing paintings," said Mary Scott Smith, TC music professor and event organizer.
"He's (Kirby) started to create documentaries, and he's worked up this wonderful live performance where he shows film that he puts together himself with photography and his artwork in it, while he accompanies it on the piano live. And that's what we're going to be able to see here live that night."
Kirby's performance as a guest artist will be a part of the James Herrin Piano Festival, Smith said.
"James Herrin was a piano professor at TC who passed away in the 1990s, and area piano teachers decided to name this event after him. We're fortunate to have a wonderful patron in Judy Morgan to help make this happen."
Kirby specializes in American and Pan-American musical traditions that span 150 years. He weaves these styles together with historical and cultural background that shows the connections and cross-influences that have been occurring in the Western Hemisphere for hundreds of years, and have influenced not only American Popular Music, but also American Classical and Art Music composers.
This three-day event starts with a recital by Kirby. He will work with TC students the following two days.
The 50-minute show with film, artwork and live music will be free for anyone to come watch. It will begin at 7 p.m. on Nov. 4.
"He's just a marvelous pianist," Smith said. "All the piano players and students at TC and area piano students can come see somebody wonderful perform for us. And the next day on Friday morning, he's going to give a little workshop for teachers and students."