Regular shows will resume after Labor Day.   (Link to Huydts video) update on March 15, 2010 (Link to Nagy video) update on April 3, 2010

 

New!

Show your tickets at Green Town Tavern on Genesee St. or Fong's Kitchen on Genesee St. for specials you can enjoy before and after the concert!

We're just the MIDDLE of a fantastic evening!!

People have been saying nice things, and we want to share some of them with you. We recently got the following nice email:

"One never knows what one will encounter when you play at a new location, especially out in the boonies compared to Chicago, my home town. Last night my piano trio (The Pressenda Trio) played in Waukegan, Illinois at a small but charming cafe/performing venue called Joplin's Java in the downtown area. The room has hardwood floors and high ceilings and is large enough to host a comfortable crowd of enthusiastic music lovers. It was furnished with a fine grand piano. . . . there's a fine piano store right next door. . . .and it was a wonderful place to play. I haven't had that much fun in a long time. The coffee and snacks were first class too. And, most importantly, the hosting crew were wonderful friendly people. It made me want to come back soon, even as a non-participant. Highly recommended!"   David Taylor, Assist. Concertmaster, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Another comment we recently received we'd like to share with you:
 

"Let me tell you, last night was something to remember. I believe that Laury and Tom were one of the best acts you and Mark have booked. I was so incredibly impressed with the level of musicianship. Laury is a fantastic entertainer.   In my opinion, you 2 and your store are the greatest thing going in Waukegan! I plan to get up during the open mic on Sunday the 27th, with a little nudge from you! I have some songs worked up that I've been saving since the beginnig of summer, when all of a sudden the open mic ended!   Thanks for all the support and encouragement. You guys are the best."   Scott, from Waukegan

This comment was just sent in, and we'd like to share it:
 

Mark, it was a pleasure to be there last night. We are so proud of you and Alice and so grateful for the venue you have created in Waukegan for great music in an intimate, welcoming space. Thanks again for being fabulous hosts!"   Roxanne, from Waukegan

We've added a page of comments from our friends - the link is in the menu on the left side of the page. The News-Sun wrote a nice piece about us - a copy of it is on our comment page.

Joplin's Java and Ragtime Cafe is the newest part of the Family Piano Company, dedicated to providing the finest coffee to go with the finest pianos. More than just a place to pick up a quick cup of something black, it's part of our committment to music and the community. We offer the finest coffee roasted fresh for us by a little-known treasure in North Chicago. We offer the finest pastries brought to us daily by a local pastry treasure in Zion.

Music is more than just a part of our name, it's part of us. We're offering open mike nights and a 7' concert grand piano for you to perform on! There will be professional musicians performing some evenings. The jazz improvisation workshop, open to the public, will be taking the summer off, but will return in the near future.

We can't have musicians to perform for us and drink our coffee without music education. We're encouraging schools and teachers in the area to work with us. Two teaching studios for private lessons - equipped with top-quality pianos from our inventory - are part of our new space. Music lessons for the very young are available.

By the way, did we mention we're serving excellent coffee and food to go with all this excellent music?

New! We've added a page where everybody can enjoy some of the photos and videos we've collected! Check it out every so often - you never know when there will be new stuff...

The Latest & Greatest Videos

Old Time Radio! Jack Webb & Jack Benny (June 11, 2010)  Sauter Concert Series: Dr. Zvonimir Nagy (January 31, 2010)  Sauter Concert Series: Sebastien Huydts (January 24, 2010)  Sauter Concert Series: Frank Winkler/Frank Portolese/Nick Tauntuas (December 20, 2009)  Sauter Concert Series: Erwin Helfer and "Skinny" Williams (November 29, 2009)  Sauter Concert Series: Dr. James and Susan McKeever (November 22, 2009)  The Handbells of First Presbyterian Church (December 5, 2009)  Old Time Radio Shows (October 23th, 2009)  Sauter Concert Series: Susan Merdinger (October 25th, 2009)

New! There was a very nice article about us in the March/April issue of Chicago Jazz Magazine, one of the premiere jazz magazines in the country. You can read it on the Family Piano website here...