Judy Carmichael

by Scott YanowJudy Carmichael is a real rarity, a pianist who came up after 1950 who specialized in the pre-World War II piano style called stride. Carmichael, who was not even born in 1950, started on piano when her grandfather offered 50 dollars to the first grandchild who could play Maple Leaf Rag. She played music for the first time professionally when she was 19, and was a ragtime pianist at Disneyland when she discovered stride piano. In 1980, she made her recording debut on Progressive, utilizing four veteran players (including Marshall Royal and Freddie Greene). The following year, Carmichael moved to New York, and worked steadily ever since. She recorded more sets for Progressive/Statiras, and then for her own C&D label. Judy Carmichael plays at the same level as the classic masters.