Judy Carmichael

Judy Carmichael stands out as an uncommon figure among pianists who emerged after 1950, devoting herself to the stride piano approach that developed before World War II. Although she had not yet been born by 1950, Carmichael first sat down at the instrument after her grandfather promised fifty dollars to the grandchild who could play “Maple Leaf Rag” ahead of the others. Her earliest paid engagements took place at nineteen, and it was while performing ragtime at Disneyland that she first absorbed stride piano. She issued her initial album in 1980 on Progressive, drawing on four experienced sidemen that included Marshall Royal and Freddie Greene. The next year she relocated to New York and has remained steadily active there. Further dates appeared on Progressive/Statiras before she began recording for her own C&D label. Judy Carmichael plays at the same level as the classic masters.
~ Scott Yanow