The Mesmerizing Music of Nicole Pesce
By Mariah Fleming
There are many places in the Valley that have qualified as 'legendary' over the years. Far too many have been razed to make room for generic strip malls and parking lots. The friendly, circa 1950's and 60's "My Florist" flower shop, with its colorful neon sign proudly anchored atop the McDowell Road building, was one such legendary spot. When My Florist Café opened in that legendary location, they were required to keep the historic sign and the name. And when the proprietor deftly hired pianist Nicole Pesce to perform five nights a week as the in house musical talent, Pesce's performances became legendary. The Arizona Republic rated Pesce as "one of the top ten musicians to hear in Phoenix."
The original "My Florist" was a family owned flower shop. Kids who grew up in Phoenix in the 1950's and '60's might remember sneaking into "My Florist" on blistering summer days to open their big refrigerated flower case, take a whiff of the beautiful flowers and rejoice in a blast of cold air. In recent years, people returned night after night to the historic My Florist Café to rejoice in the music of Nicole Pesce. Her piano repertoire ranges from Chopin and Gershwin to Lady Gaga. Her music encompasses Classical, Jazz, Boogie Woogie, Ragtime, Latin, Pop, Spiritual, Opera, Country Rock, Rock, Funk and Hip Hop and who knows what else. It's fair to say there's nothing Pesce can't play flawlessly. In performance she is known for playing without charts. She does all of her own arrangements.
It has been awhile since fans have experienced the spellbinding skill and inventive fun Pesce's performances brought to My Florist Café. On September 1, 2010 the staff and patrons of My Florist Café arrived to find the café abruptly closed, permanently, its doors bolted shut. The customers and staff had not received any notice. "We were all stunned, to put it mildly" Pesce said. "The staff [including Pesce] were left high and dry without the compensation owed to them." Pesce told me. "I felt worse for them than anyone." Now the "My Florist" sign is all that's left of the café. But Nicole Pesce's music and spirit is still alive and kicking.
Nicole Pesce's fans are geared up to rejoice in her music once again when they reunite this Friday June 24th to see her solo performance that will benefit the Tempe Center for the Arts. "I really want to reconnect with my My Florist fans. I miss them." She genuinely regards them as friends. "So many cared so much about that place." Pesce told me. "To the patrons and the staff it was like a family. I felt a great loss. I still do." Friday's show promises to be a crowd pleaser. "I'll do audience requests during the show…a mash up, I'll have them yell out their favorite tunes or maybe text me!"
Nicole's apparently effortless texting while she's playing is notorious. "It began as requests from the bar at My Florist Cafe. Then the servers started to do it, and it caught on with the patrons," Pesce explained. "They'd bring in their friends to show them 'I'm going to text her a request and she'll text back!' It became an unintentional, playful gimmick." To watch her do this is dizzying. I asked her how she could pull it off. "I just play a bit of bass, a bit of melody, text with my right hand and switch hands!" she nonchalantly explained. "The show will very much have a My Florist feeling to it; it's going to be so much fun to do!"
Pesce is delighted that the Tempe Center for the Arts has asked her to perform. "The venue is stunning!" she said. "I am humbled and thrilled to be doing this show for the Friends of TCA and that they decided to use me." Pesce said the show is sponsored by the Friends of Tempe Center for the Arts with an anonymous sponsor. "I'd love to know who it is, it's driving me crazy!" she exclaimed, "It's pretty cool!" Pesce looks forward to meeting them. "I want to thank the Friends of TCA and the anonymous sponsor for having faith in me and giving me the opportunity to play at this amazing venue," she explained.
"Having Nicole play seemed a perfect fit for such a great building with such amazing acoustics," explained Tyler Allen, a Board member of the Friends of Tempe Center for the Arts. "A lot of people have driven by but have never been inside. Having Nicole perform there will be such an experience." The Friends of TCA endeavor to highlight local artists and lend support to the arts. They even have a unique "Walk In Wednesdays" program to give local performers the opportunity to perform in an 'open mic' setting.
Pesce will do two sets, one using a nine foot Steinway Grand Piano and one using and even longer Ravenscroft Grand Piano, designed to honor local legendary jazz pianist Bob Ravenscroft. "He helped design it" Pesce explained, "The piano was created in homage to Ravenscroft's unique style and feeling." Pesce plans to bring in her Rolland Keyboard and several others for the show too. Pesce's CD's will be on sale in the TCA gift shop.
There will be a bar in the lobby before the show and at intermission. A special $75.00 VIP "Meet and Greet" ticket is available for the after party onstage. VIP tickets include one main floor seat and a free beverage. "Ticket sales for the show are good!" Kallin said. "The theatre houses 600 and good seats are still available."
Regular ticket prices range from $23.00 to $35.00. Box Office is open 10 AM to 6 PM Monday through Friday and two hours prior to performances. Sales are available by phone or through the website at tca.ticketforce.com