The Rocklin Historical Society will be presenting San Francisco Bay Area pianist Frederick Hodges in concert at the Old Saint Mary’s Chapel on March 16 at 2:00 pm. The chapel is located at 5251 Front Street in the heart of Rocklin’s Front Street Historic District. It is a non-denominational restoration of the 125 year old Saint Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church.

Hodges specializes in the piano music and popular songs of the ragtime era, the 1920s and 1930s. Classically trained and groomed for a career as a concert pianist, he was happily lured away from this path after he discovered a stack of 1920s sheet music in this grandmother's piano bench.  Exposure to the rollicking rhythms of player pianos and 78 RPM phonograph records sealed his fate, and he set out to master the ragtime and novelty piano playing styles that had captivated him.

While still an undergraduate at UC Berkeley, he was hired by Don Neely to serve as pianist and singer with the famed Royal Society Jazz Orchestra. Soon, Frederick was playing solo piano for society parties and holding down steady engagements at legendary Nob Hill establishments such as L'Etoile in the Huntington Hotel, Masons in the Fairmont Hotel, and the Ritz Carlton Hotel.  Frederick also plays piano with the Peter Mintun Orchestra and with jazz ensembles.

Frederick has displayed his unique piano playing and singing talents on stage, on television, and in Hollywood movies. He has had the honor of performing for stars of stage and screen, royalty, captains of industry, and even Tin Pan Alley composers. He is a favorite at jazz festivals around the country.

Tickets are $25 and are available by phone order only. Call Jean Day at 624-0241.