The piano man
In any era of hardship, it is always the arts that bring a sense of appreciation and deeper connection to the important aspects of life and culture – things that too often are sacrificed to a “bottom line” mentality. The good news for Sonoma Valley is that there is a cultural treasure right in our midst – live piano music in the lobby of the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn.
Every Friday and Saturday evening, one can wander into the beautiful Mission-style lobby of the hotel and hear live jazz and classical piano played on the Yamaha grand piano that has graced the lobby of Sonoma Mission Inn for more than thirty years. Pianist Steve Rubardt has been playing that piano for the last 20 of those 30 years. Rubardt lives in Petaluma with his wife and three daughters, Molly, Martha and Grace.
“I came of age as a musician playing that piano. It is a beautiful room with great acoustics and knowledgeable music fans. What could be better?” says Rubardt, who lists Bill Evans, J.S. Bach, and The Beatles among his primary musical influences.
Rubardt plays jazz standards, show tunes, classical favorites, Gershwin, Berlin, Porter, Beatles, and original music from his two CDs on Homemade Records. And don’t forget the Vince Guaraldi pieces from the Peanuts specials – the kids in this family-friendly hotel love to hear him play ‘Linus and Lucy’ and all the others.
“I had the pleasure of recording and performing with Guaraldi when I was a member of The San Francisco Boys Chorus. On those occasions in particular, every member of the Chorus would come alive with how much shear fun music could be,” adds Rubardt.
Springs resident, Wendy Phillippay often wanders over to the hotel with friends on a weekend night to sit and enjoy the sophisticated music and the beautiful setting.
“We order a glass of wine, sit by the fireplace and listen to Steve. What was a simple evening with friends is transformed into something truly relaxed and wonderful. It’s a great gift not only to hotel patrons but to those of us jazz and classical aficionados in the neighborhood.”
“The Fairmont management is to be congratulated for continuing the great tradition of live piano music at the Sonoma Mission Inn” notes Rubardt.
“The music not only brings guests into the hotel – there are numerous former wedding clients who return on their anniversaries to just to have me play the songs that I played for them at their wedding – but local residents and their guests as well.”
Rubardt also has a busy teaching schedule, a music production studio, and is the founder and leader of TopcaT, a popular dance band.
“The Mission Inn gig creates such a nice balance to my other musical activities, to get out of the studio, and play solo piano for a live audience. It’s a chance to find what music really touches people and communicates.”
[nggallery id=49]
