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Shanghai Daily
Published on ShanghaiDaily.com (http://www.shanghaidaily.com/)
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/art/2006/05/25/279308/Fastest fingers in the East.htm

Fastest fingers in the East
        Wu Yingying
        Created: 2006-05-25 CST, Updated: 2006-05-25 CST

           For those already head over heels about authentic jazz, Shanghai's House of Blues & Jazz
            is probably a very familiar place.

The owner of the pub, Lin Dongfu, is a famous TV personality, who himself is a big jazz fan. He
                                                          personally chooses who will play in his pub and scours the
                                                            corners of the world for both established musicians and
                                                              young talent.

                                                                      After Sam Hooper, with his mixed style of blues, funk
                                                                          and rock, the latest trio headed by Eric Wortham, a
                                                                          gifted pianist and composer originally from
                                                                          Philadelphia, the United States, has introduced a
                                                                          different style of jazz - smooth, modern and
                                                                          dynamic.

                                                                          Gifted with hands that bring keys to life, Wortham
                                                                          has been captivating audiences for years.
                                                                          Wortham grew up in Philadelphia, and attended
                                                                          the High School for Creative and Performing Arts,
                                                                          where he excelled and received many honors,
                                                                          such as the Piano Prodigy Award in 2000.

                                                                         Even at a young age, Wortham was playing the
                                                                          organ in church and he continues to do so out of
                                                                          his love for gospel music. However, Wortham
                                                                          learned to balance playing the new musical styles
                                                                          that he loves and the church music that he was
                                                                          accustomed to from his youth.

"The band is outstanding," says Frank Surgener, an Australian on his first visit both to Shanghai
and the House of Blues & Jazz. "Eric is the fastest pianist I have ever seen. He is an
extraordinary pianist."

The group Wortham has assembled includes drummer Joe Truglio, who never misses a beat with
his inspiring rhythm technique and bassist Ali Jabari Bervyne, an 18-year-old vibrant young man
with a strong desire to express himself through music.

"The band is fantastic," says Kjell O. Haglumd, from Switzerland, who comes to the House of Jazz
& Blues whenever he is in Shanghai. "I think the drummer is excellent."

The trio has teamed up with vocalist Laurin Frierson. As she sings, she casts her eyes around the
audience, her warm and deeply soulful voice, providing the focal point for the band.