1986-87-- STEVE LYNCH DUO
A return to onstage piano playing after twelve years of Hammond organ, clavinet, synthesizers, and various key bass instruments with dance-oriented small groups.
1988 -- GATTI CIRCUS
One last group using electronic stuff. A synth key bass in the left hand, a second synth in the right hand, with a drummer and trumpeter -- a trio that made a lot of noise backing up clowns, acrobats, a singing ringmaster, 8 lions, 8 elephants, 4 trapeze artists, etc etc in a crazy 9-month tour of western United States and Canada. The trio un-officially called itself the Circus Jerques.
at "Blanche" (Farmingdale, NY), The Duplex (NYC), As Time Goes By (Brightwaters, NY), Thunders (Huntington, NY), Eleanors Piano Lounge (Oakdale, NY)
1989-95--PIANOMAN
The Blanche gig lasted four years, providing a perfect forum for trying out singalong routines. Pacing, playing off particular "catalyst" people, abbreviating tunes to the "catchy" parts-----it was a thorough education, with the added satisfaction of really knowing my "fans" by name.
It was also a thorough education in accompaniment. A steady stream of new and different singers, and a corresponding stream of new music. I learned - by memory - many hundreds of great songs, in all genres, during this phase.