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Pianist, George Sinkler, is one of the rare local musicians who makes his complete living playing live music. “I haven’t made one dollar doing anything other than playing piano for over 30 years. I don’t even teach,” he says with an expression conveying that he is as surprised as anyone. “Now that I think of it, that may be more a function of how totally inept I am at everything else…”
In addition to being a full time member of the Alan Segal quartet, he plays regularly in local restaurants such as The Whitemarsh Valley Inn and The Hub Pub in Plumsteadville . He was a fixture at Odette’s in New Hope for 20 years, leading singalongs and belting out a few himself. He is also a frequent accompanist for singers, plays private parties and at senior facilities.
George has been called “The Man of 5000 songs”. “I take it as a challenge to learn the songs I need for each situation that comes up. So at this point I can do an entire evening of Broadway, Pop, Rock, singalong or jazz….or an hour of French, Irish, Patriotic, Oscar winners, Gershwin, Porter, Billy Joel…well, you get the point,” he says.
George finds joy in each of those genres. When you see a big grin appear on his face, you know he is in the zone. And watch his left foot…the Energy Department is investigating his foot as an infinite source of power. “I couldn’t stop it if I wanted too,” he says with that grin. “I am very grateful to Alan Segal for coming up with Jazz & Joe. It is a new way for people to enjoy live jazz, and he a keeps a handful of musicians off the street and out of trouble. This is in a time when the number of venues is shrinking.”
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