As the gentleness of a Summer evening unfolded, Don Slepian and his wife Jan Julia opened the doors of their East Stroudsburg, PA home for an eagerly anticipated ArtMusic Coffeehouse Concert on Saturday June 23rd. Although previous concerts created a sense of wonder and awe to those who attended them, this particular evening provided an opportunity for electronic music lovers to experience Keyboardist Don Slepian and his longtime musical companion Stuart Diamond on his Electronic Wind Instrument performing together as Electric Diamond. They were joined by Violinist Karen Bentley Pollick whose considerable talents proved to be an extra treat rivaling the cookies and cakes placed upon the snack table.
As friends who have attended previous concerts at the Slepian home became acquainted with new comers found their places together to enjoy the performance, the carousel horses that adorn their residence could be seen partaking of the excitement as they poised their ears in anticipation. It wasn’t long until Don welcomed the audience in his living room as well as those who were experiencing the concert through their Live Video Webcast. It was only a span of a few moments until Don took his place before his keyboards and began his customary musical introduction to the concert.
This was seamlessly followed by the appearance of Stuart Diamond on stage as he joined Don in one musical rendering after another. Their performance showcased the best of what many have come to appreciate about the texture and qualities inherent in Electronic Diamond bringing back memories to some and new internal avenues to explore in others. Yet, when Karen Bentley Pollick joined the duo, the songs sung by her violin made the impossibility the performance could be transcended a self evident reality.
