30 Facts About Judy Carmichael

Judy Carmichael was born on Judith Lea Hohenstein, November 27,1957 and is a Grammy-nominated jazz pianist and vocalist who specializes in a form of early jazz called "Stride Piano".

In 1992, Carmichael became the first jazz musician sponsored by the United States Government to tour China.

Judy Carmichael was born Judith Lea Hohenstein in suburban Southern California on November 27,1957.

Judy Carmichael was taught piano by her mother from around age 4, and had two years of formal piano training.

Judy Carmichael shared a bill with Eubie Blake in a performance for the Los Angeles ragtime association, The Maple Leaf Club.

Judy Carmichael has said her love of ragtime began when her grandfather offered $50 to his first grandchild who could play "Maple Leaf Rag".

Judy Carmichael taught herself to play it "note by note".

Judy Carmichael attended California State University, Fullerton as a German Major and later Cal State Long Beach as a Communications Major.

Judy Carmichael continued to work as a professional ragtime pianist in her early 20s, eventually shifting to jazz.

Judy Carmichael performed ragtime and stride at Disneyland for five years.

Eldridge remained a supporter of Judy Carmichael and sent her music to play.

Judy Carmichael tried to break into the jazz scene in Los Angeles, but she found most of the jazz clubs were male-dominated and intimidating.

Judy Carmichael was the first female instrumentalist to be hired by Disneyland and she had to share a dressing room with 10 men.

Judy Carmichael shared the stage with Marian McPartland on McPartland's Piano Jazz in 1988.

The first important stride pianist to emerge in nearly 30 years, Judy Carmichael has proved to be a consistently creative and exciting performer, within the genre of classic jazz and swing during the years since her debut.

Judy Carmichael has been a guest performer on Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion, and radio broadcasts on NPR's Morning Edition.

Judy Carmichael primarily appears on radio as the host of Public Radio's Judy Carmichael's Jazz Inspired, a radio program that interviews people from all walks of life who talk about their creative process, and how their interest in jazz has affected that process.

Judy Carmichael produced and hosted a fifteen-part series for public radio: Pet Style Radio with Judy Carmichael.

Judy Carmichael has interviewed numerous celebrities, including an interview with Raiders of the Lost Ark actress Karen Allen, actor Chevy Chase, singer Tony Bennett, rock pianist Billy Joel, actors John Lithgow, Robert Redford, F Murray Abraham, and others.

Judy Carmichael has toured for United States State Department in Australia, India, Portugal, Brazil, Morocco and Singapore.

Judy Carmichael's performances include Carnegie Hall, Jazz Festival 2008 Brazil, Jazz at Lincoln Center's Fats Waller Festival Peggy Guggenheim Museum, Tanglewood Jazz Festival, and 92d Street Y's Jazz in July.

Judy Carmichael made her debut as a vocalist on September 10,1996, at the Tavern on the Green restaurant in New York City with Steve Ross.

Judy Carmichael is known for being one of the most accessible jazz pianists in the business, particularly as ambassador and revivalist of a form of jazz that peaked many decades ago.

Judy Carmichael has recorded 13 albums, two for larger labels.

Judy Carmichael has given private recitals for Rod Stewart, Robert Redford, President Bill Clinton, and Gianni Agnelli.

Judy Carmichael has served on a variety of music panels at the NEA.

Judy Carmichael has spoken before the National Council on the Arts and she has been an advocate for fellowship grants for individual performers.

Judy Carmichael oversaw music education activities for the Port Jeff Education and Arts Conservancy, a community center in Port Jefferson, New York, near her home in Sag Harbor.

Judy Carmichael interviews celebrated artists about their love for jazz and how it inspired them.

Judy Carmichael received several grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.