Jazz Articles about Misha Piatigorsky

Misha Piatigorsky: Stained Glass & Technicolor Grooves

by Chris Mosey
August 15, 2018

When the story of the Jewish immigrant influence on American jazz comes to be told, after the Trump era with its narrow perspectives has passed, the name Misha Piatigorsky will be writ large in the telling. He is one of the most sought-after pianists on the New York scene, his music busy and cosmopolitan, reflecting his experiences as a Russian-Jewish émigré coming of age in urban America. Winner of the 2004 Thelonious Monk Composers ...

Misha Piatigorsky: Paris Troika

by Dan Bilawsky
May 21, 2010

Popular music and jazz have always been connected but, over the years, a bit of a divide has developed. A large portion of songs lumped under the Great American Songbook heading were the popular music of their day. As folk and rock began to eclipse jazz in the public eye, some people refused to get on board while others happily tried these tunes with mixed results, and critical responses ranging from praise to scorn. Paul Desmond tried on Simon and ...

Misha Piatigorsky: 17 Rooms

by Marcia Hillman
January 14, 2010

A clue to pianist Misha Piatigorsky's 17 Rooms is the title of its opening track, “Open Window"--a window that lets in a breath of fresh air. Joined by bassist Boris Kozlov and drummer Ari Hoenig, Piatigorsky offers a mixture of bebop, gospel and classically-based styles that shows off his pianistic and composing abilities. The material is all original with the exception of three selections. As a composer, Piatigorsky is melodic and innovative. He displays a healthy respect ...

Misha Piatigorsky: Invent Your Own Bicycle

by Jason Crane
March 17, 2008

Russian-born pianist Misha Piatigorsky fled from behind the Cold-War-era Iron Curtain with his family to make a new life in a small New Jersey town. He started out as a classical pianist before discovering jazz. Since that discovery, he's moved from bebop to Brazilian to groove music, melding them all seamlessly on his record, Uncommon Circumstance (Misha Music, 2007). Jason Crane, AAJ contributor and host of The Jazz Session, spoke with Piatigorsky in April 2007.

All About Jazz: ...

Misha Piatigorsky: Aya

by Michael P. Gladstone
September 24, 2007

Pianist/composer Misha Piatigorsky's debut, Uncommon Circumstances (Misha Music, 2007), was an enjoyable effort, with the exception of his overuse of electronic keyboards. Aya represents a new direction, with mixed results.

Piatigorsky cites, in his notes, that as a busy and in-demand musician he is involved in a number of projects and wants to provide an album representative of his diverse interests and musicians. His aim is to emulate Quincy Jones's style of employing various genres and moods.

Misha Piatigorsky: From Russia With Love

by Jason Crane
July 3, 2007

On the new episode of The Jazz Session, Jason Crane interviews pianist Misha Piatigorsky. Misha fled with his family from Russia during the height of the Cold War and ended up in New Jersey. A classically trained pianist, he discovered jazz and fell in love with the music, ending up at Rutgers studying with Kenny Barron. He won the 2004 Thelonious Monk Composers Competition. He's also the pianist and musical director for singing legend Mark Murphy. Misha's new trio with ...

Misha Piatigorsky: AYA

by Mark F. Turner
June 21, 2007

Pianist Misha Piatigorsky absorbs his heritage, environment, and experiences, to deliver the very hip and accessible AYA. Born in Moscow, the active New York musician is also a producer and composer (winner of the 2004 Thelonious Monk Composers Competition). This recording is his second to be released in 2007 and is a slight departure from his well received, self produced trio effort Uncommon Circumstances. While the trio recording revealed strong compositions, the new recording seems more open ...