Musician’s love for piano started with the accordion
Few people get as excited at the thought of an accordion as Marvin Goldstein.
More than 50 years ago, the musician’s desire to “squeeze an accordion” got the better of him.
While running errands with his mother, he entered a drawing for 12 free accordion lessons. He slipped his name in the small box, he said, hoping for victory.
“It was funny because everyone who put their name in won, but I loved it,” Goldstein said. “I practiced about three hours a day.”
His love for the accordion influenced him to pursue other instruments — the piano and the French horn. He then studied music at universities in Israel, Austria and Florida.
As an adult, Goldstein has made a name for himself as a professional pianist and music arranger. He plays a variety of genres, including gospel, show tunes, pop and country.
Goldstein will share his passion for music with eastern Idaho next week. The pianist will duet with vocalist Vanessa Joy on Wednesday at the Blackfoot Performing Arts Center.
Goldstein and Joy will perform a collection of Christmas songs and show tunes, along with music from Joy’s inspirational and contemporary albums.
“The audience will expect a high energy and a very deeply moving concert,” Goldstein said. “They’ll be thrilled with the banter and the fun on stage.”
Though Goldstein often collaborates with fellow artists and groups, including the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, his partnership with Joy is unique.
Goldstein accompanied Joy on her two albums and mentors her in her budding professional music career.
“We seemed to have the same goals in mind,” Goldstein said. “I had a feeling after 53 years of playing, it’d be nice to have another performer to take some of the spotlight and become a mentor, and things are going quite well.”
Joy grew up singing and performing in plays and musicals.
She said she loves performing live and adding Goldstein to the mix is “a thrill.”
“He’s amazing,” she said. “I can’t even express — he can add so much more than what is written on a page. His improvisation is just phenomenal. It’s like having an orchestra with me with what he can do (on the piano).”
Though his piano skills have attracted the most attention, Goldstein hasn’t forgotten his early days as a devoted accordion player.
In fact, his accordion will make a brief appearance in next week’s concert.
No matter where it comes from — a piano, accordion or voice — Goldstein said music is an important part of life.
“What excites me most about music is … the reaction that people get from it that seems to make their lives better,” Goldstein said.
Features writer Lindsey Bush can be reached at 542-6762.
If you go
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday
Where: Blackfoot Performing Arts Center, 870 S. Fisher Ave.
Tickets: $15 for adults, $10 for students 18 and younger. Call 317-5508 or visit www.blackfootpac.com or Tweedy’s Music in Blackfoot.
