Drazin Brings Silent Films to Life

The late Buster Keaton and Yasujiro Ozu would have never believed that their silent films would eventually be shown with live accompaniment. David Drazin, nationally known for his piano improvisations accompanying silent films, will be performing his original works for Buster Keaton’s One Week and Sherlock, Jr. on August 26th at Dawes Park for the final installment of the Starlight Concert Series.

Although Drazin graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in Jazz Studies, he can play virtually any genre of music from Ballet to boogie-woogie to Harlem Stride piano. Archana Ram from The Daily Northwestern reported that Drazin first got into performing silent film accompaniments when he cut a deal with the manager of the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago to provide live improvisations for films if he could watch the films for free. He got the job, and has continued his services as staff accompanist for over 20 years. In an interview with Ram, Drazin commented on his thoughts on improv:

"The thing I like about (improv) is you can use the whole range of expressions that a piano offers," he says. "(In the films) when the chase starts or the fight breaks out, you can go wild. And in ballet, when the dancers are racing from one end to the other, you have to let them have it."

Aside from film music, Drazin has also accompanied various dance companies throughout the Chicagoland area including Northwestern University School of Dance and the Chicago Cultural Center. His CD recordings, including his latest release Piano Improvisations for Silent Films DD008, include Drazin’s finest work, as well as several live performance clips. To witness Drazin’s talent in person, be sure to check out his performance at Dawes Park, and don’t forget the blanket and movie popcorn for our final outdoor movie event!

This is Kristina signing out…