Blues and boogie pianist Ricky Nye has a deep love for his hometown of Cincinnati.

        He loves bringing music to the Tristate community, which led to the beginning of the annual Blues and Boogie Piano Summit produced by the Greater Cincinnati Blues Society. The summit is a concert spinoff of the Arches Boogie Piano Stage.

IF YOU GO

What: Second Cammys Showcase     When: 4 p.m. today     Where: Jillian's Tower, Covington     Admission: $3 at the door

        “I've been associated with great pianists and it lets me set things up with different players,” Mr. Nye explains. “I get to meet them and show them to the local community.”

        The third summit of pianists, held in November, included Cincinnati's Big Joe Duskin, Tom McDermott of New Orleans and Renaud Patigny of Belgium. Drummer Tony Franklin and bassist Eric Sayer provided the background for the pianists.

        “It was great,” Mr. Nye says. “Attendance was what we wanted, and it's a good opportunity for something fun and educational.”

        He is working on transposing the concert onto CD. The second Blues and Boogie Piano Summit CD is available through 1-2-3 Records. Also available is Mr. Nye's first set of recordings, Piano is Fun.

        Mr. Nye keeps busy by performing. He plays piano as a solo act and in two different bands, Ricky Nye and the Red Hots and the Swingin' Mudbugs.

        He has been nominated for two Cammy awards: best blues/R&B instrumentalist and best solo act. Last year, he won two Cammys: best blues band (with the Red Hots) and best solo act. He will perform today at the second Cammy Awards Showcase at Jillian's in Covington.

        Mr. Nye has a busy spring planned as well. When the CD from the third Summit is complete, he will travel to Switzerland to perform with his good friend, Mr. Patigny.

        But Ricky Nye always will return to Cincinnati.

        Mr. Nye's enthusiasm turns to sadness when he talks of the recent troubles in the city.

        “Things are a bit muted right now” he says.

        But Mr. Nye sees a vast talent pool of musicians, which validates his belief that Cincinnati is where he belongs.

        “I keep meeting great musicians right here in Cincinnati,” he says. He believes it is a supportive place for musicians.

        One regular gig: Wednesday at Chez Nora in Covington. He does his solo act or performs with the occasional guest musician.
       

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