Giants of the world stage perform at the greatest jazz piano event of the year at PianoForte Studios—one of the most intimate concert spaces in America at 1335 S. Michigan Avenue in the heart of Chicago.
—Jim Luce
Rhapsody in Blue, The Great American Songbook & The Music of McCoy Tyner Launch A Year-Long Celebration of the Rich History and Vibrant Future of Jazz Piano in Chicago March 29 & 30 at PianoForte Studios in Chicago.
In the world of jazz piano, all roads lead to Chicago beginning on March 29th, as the Chicago Jazz Piano Festival begins its inaugural spring season at Pianoforte Studios with the centennial performance of the classic 1924 George Gershwin groundbreaking work, “Rhapsody in Blue” performed by St. Louis Pianist Ptah Williams, plus other classics of the Great American Songbook. Also on the bill is acclaimed Venezuelan pianist Benito Gonzalez featured in performance of the music of the late pianist McCoy Tyner and other gems of American music. Chicago.
The Chicago Jazz Piano Summit begins March 29th & 30th at 7:30 and 9 pm to launch the 2024 Chicago Jazz Piano Festival. The festival is conceived as a rare opportunity to witness some of the world's best jazz pianists in the solo setting—just 10 fingers and 88 keys—nothing else! Tickets are available at the door or in advance at chicagojazzpiano.com/
Producer Jim Luce reflects that “The Great American Songbook emerged out of Broadway shows and Hollywood films to tell the story of America in the first half of the 20th Century, and remains foundational to modern American culture right through to present day."
Along the way, Gershwin, Porter, Berlin, Rogers & Hart, Mercer, Kern, Ellington, Strayhorn and others became household names. Gershwin himself began his career in the streets of Tin Pan Alley and Broadway, writing songs inspired by his love of jazz. Gershwin loved music of classical composers such as Ravel and Stravinsky. His first success at writing lengthier works became Rhapsody in Blue. Rhapsody was groundbreaking because of its novel approach and unusual juxtaposition of musical forms. Ptah Williams, one of St. Louis' finest jazz pianists, is well known for his fantastic pianistic approach to Rhapsody In Blue, and he shines as a pianist with varied and innovative styles that can be overpowering. His treatment of standards offers listeners a roller-coaster experience of musical virtuosity. It's an event that happens every 100 years—The Centennial of Rhapsody In Blue.
Benito Gonzalez—one of the most in-demand jazz pianists from New York by way of Venezuela is spreading his musical aura around the world. This captivating inaugural piano concert will showcase the unparalleled skills of Gonzalez, a highly acclaimed musician with credits from the bands of Kenny Garrett, Jackie McLean, Bobby Hutcherson, Pharoah Sanders, Gary Bartz, and a long list of many others. Benito is best known for his technical mastery as well as creative psyche that allows him to blend different styles and elements into a singular composition that takes the listener on a seamless musical journey. Benito is well revered for his deep understanding of the traditions of jazz music, and he applies a personal dose of creativity and talent that sets his solo concerts apart for the global audience of dedicated fans. Benito channels his musical aura through his instrument, and as a result, much of his music projects a free flow of spontaneous energy. Benito's exceptional dedication to the music of McCoy Tyner has given him a tremendous command of the technique required to meander through the fluidity and literature of bebop and Latin jazz.
Chicago is known around the world for its rich musical culture beyond all genres, and the Chicago Jazz Piano Summit is a great example of that. It offers a special time and space to quench the thirst of jazz lovers for innovative performances in an intimate venue, with great acoustics, and an environment that is as thrilling for an artist as it is for the listener.
The Inauguration weekend of the Chicago Jazz Piano Festival takes place on March 29th and March 30th. Oh, Jazz! is the official streaming and on-demand partner of the Chicago Jazz Piano Festival, and WDCB is the official media partner.
More information and tickets can be found by visiting chicagojazzpiano.com/.
In the world of jazz piano, all roads lead to Chicago beginning on March 29th, as the Chicago Jazz Piano Festival begins its inaugural spring season at Pianoforte Studios with the centennial performance of the classic 1924 George Gershwin groundbreaking work, “Rhapsody in Blue” performed by St. Louis Pianist Ptah Williams, plus other classics of the Great American Songbook. Also on the bill is acclaimed Venezuelan pianist Benito Gonzalez featured in performance of the music of the late pianist McCoy Tyner and other gems of American music. Chicago.
The Chicago Jazz Piano Summit begins March 29th & 30th at 7:30 and 9 pm to launch the 2024 Chicago Jazz Piano Festival. The festival is conceived as a rare opportunity to witness some of the world's best jazz pianists in the solo setting—just 10 fingers and 88 keys—nothing else! Tickets are available at the door or in advance at chicagojazzpiano.com/
Producer Jim Luce reflects that “The Great American Songbook emerged out of Broadway shows and Hollywood films to tell the story of America in the first half of the 20th Century, and remains foundational to modern American culture right through to present day."
Along the way, Gershwin, Porter, Berlin, Rogers & Hart, Mercer, Kern, Ellington, Strayhorn and others became household names. Gershwin himself began his career in the streets of Tin Pan Alley and Broadway, writing songs inspired by his love of jazz. Gershwin loved music of classical composers such as Ravel and Stravinsky. His first success at writing lengthier works became Rhapsody in Blue. Rhapsody was groundbreaking because of its novel approach and unusual juxtaposition of musical forms. Ptah Williams, one of St. Louis' finest jazz pianists, is well known for his fantastic pianistic approach to Rhapsody In Blue, and he shines as a pianist with varied and innovative styles that can be overpowering. His treatment of standards offers listeners a roller-coaster experience of musical virtuosity. It's an event that happens every 100 years—The Centennial of Rhapsody In Blue.
Benito Gonzalez—one of the most in-demand jazz pianists from New York by way of Venezuela is spreading his musical aura around the world. This captivating inaugural piano concert will showcase the unparalleled skills of Gonzalez, a highly acclaimed musician with credits from the bands of Kenny Garrett, Jackie McLean, Bobby Hutcherson, Pharoah Sanders, Gary Bartz, and a long list of many others. Benito is best known for his technical mastery as well as creative psyche that allows him to blend different styles and elements into a singular composition that takes the listener on a seamless musical journey. Benito is well revered for his deep understanding of the traditions of jazz music, and he applies a personal dose of creativity and talent that sets his solo concerts apart for the global audience of dedicated fans. Benito channels his musical aura through his instrument, and as a result, much of his music projects a free flow of spontaneous energy. Benito's exceptional dedication to the music of McCoy Tyner has given him a tremendous command of the technique required to meander through the fluidity and literature of bebop and Latin jazz.
Chicago is known around the world for its rich musical culture beyond all genres, and the Chicago Jazz Piano Summit is a great example of that. It offers a special time and space to quench the thirst of jazz lovers for innovative performances in an intimate venue, with great acoustics, and an environment that is as thrilling for an artist as it is for the listener.
The Inauguration weekend of the Chicago Jazz Piano Festival takes place on March 29th and March 30th. Oh, Jazz! is the official streaming and on-demand partner of the Chicago Jazz Piano Festival, and WDCB is the official media partner.
More information and tickets can be found by visiting chicagojazzpiano.com/.
