“Asia Minor” #8 4/17/1961

 Jimmy Wisner was part of a jazz trio in the late 50’s, but tried something different with his April 1961 rocked-up version of Grieg’s “Piano Concerto In A Minor” which he renamed “Asia Minor.” He developed a unique feel by using shellac to coat the hammers of a cheap, somewhat out of tune piano, creating a ticky-tack sound. Wisner used the name Kokomo here so as not to alienate the jazz audience. He would later produce acts like the Buckinghams and Tommy James. This shows up many times as an accompaniment for figure skating routines.