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Arnie Abrams started playing piano at the early age of 5. At that young age, he began copying the hand movements of his father, an accomplished, self-taught pianist in his own right. His dad played exclusively by ear, and despite the fact that he could not read a single note, Howard Abrams knew and could play thousands of songs, all by ear. Howard's musical signature was his high-energy 'Harlem Stride' style, which Arnie inherited, and is what he is known for in the local New Jersey, metro NY & Philadelphia areas today, along with his talented ear for picking up songs quickly and playing them after just hearing them once or twice on the radio. Arnie also realized that he was blessed with perfect pitch, which helps him enormously when he works with other musicians and vocalists.
Arnie studied classical and jazz piano in New Haven and later in the Buffalo area. Longing to play the more popular tunes, Arnie's dad taught him how to play by “ear” without the use of sheet music, helped him to develop his musical ear, and taught him many of the most wonderful standards that were so popular during his musical golden era. Arnie combines his classical and jazz-trained techniques with the Harlem Stride style, enthusiasm and "heart" that his dad passed onto him. The result is the gift that he shares with his audiences for performing many of the most popular tunes produced over the past 70+ years.
Arnie grew up in the mid 70's, so many of his favorite artists are from that period. His influences include, Billy Joel, Elton John, Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow, James Taylor, Chicago, Eagles, Jim Brinkman, Burt Bacharach, Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin, The Beatles, Steely Dan, Ludwig van Beethoven, Frederic Chopin, Scott Joplin, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, Harry Connick, Jr., Michael Feinstein, Broadway Show Tunes, and many, many others.
Arnie began his musical career in the New Haven, CT area, playing piano in many restaurants and piano bars including The Recovery Room (an upscale restaurant that was connected to a hospital!), Tandom's, The Summit House, 500 Blake Street, and App's Ristorante just to name a few. He later worked as a booking agent and performing musician for Richard Neal Productions in Hamden, CT, where he learned the music business and worked with numerous fine musicians in many different and diverse venues. Today, in addition to weddings, private parties and corporate events, Arnie performs frequently at several fine NJ restaurants including
Acqua Ristorante on Route 202North in Raritan, New Jersey, where you will find him every Friday evening from 7:00pm - 11:00pm.
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