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T. Lavitz

T Lavitz began his intensive study of classical and jazz piano at age seven. At the same time, the Beatles invaded America, igniting in T a lifelong love of rock music. By twenty-two, he was asked to join the "rock, jazz, and everything else" instrumental band, the Dixie Dregs. It was a dream come true, because they were one of his favorite bands, even at that relatively early stage in their career. This first taste of fame happened during the last few days of 1978, lasting until the band split in 1983, by which time T had been voted "Best New Talent" in Keyboard Magazine's readers poll and the band had garnered four Grammy nominations. Since then, T has released eight albums as a leader, consisting mostly of his own compositions. Additionally, T produced the cult favorite, "Players," which features stellar performances by Jeff Berlin, Steve Smith, and Scott Henderson. Some of the artists featured on T's other albums include fellow "Dregs" Steve Morse, Jerry Goodman, Rod Morgenstein, Dave LaRue and Mark O'Connor, as well as college alumni Danny Gottlieb and Bruce Hornsby. Other contributions have also been made by Alex Ligertwood, Maria Muldaur, Jeff Richman, Michael McDonald, Paul Barrere, Catfish Hodge, Oteil Burbidge, Dennis Chambers and many more. In addition to the Dixie Dregs, T has performed around the world with Widespread Panic, Mothers Finest, Jefferson Starship, Billy Cobham, and Bill Bruford. As the list of critically acclaimed recordings grows, T says some of his favorite sessions were done with Nils Lofgren, Pat Benatar, The Bluesbusters, Peter Himmelman and perhaps most fondly "...I'll always be a Dreg". On Valentine's weekend 1992, the Dixie Dregs did a live reunion album for the newly reformed Capricorn Records in Atlanta, Georgia. "Bring 'em Back Alive" and the subsequent "Full Circle" studio disc each garnered Grammy nominations (bringing the total to six), and earning T the coveted "Jazz Keyboardist of the Year" award in Keyboard Magazine's readers poll. T was also a founding member of Jazz is Dead, an instrumental exploration into the music of the Grateful Dead. T has been joined in this project by Rod Morgenstein, Billy Cobham, Jeff Sipe, Alphonso Johnson, guitarists Jimmy Herring and Jeff Pevar and most recently, bassist Dave Livolsi. The band now boasts three CD's, "Blue Light Rain," "Laughing Water" and "Great Sky River," all of which are available on Zebra/Warner Bros., and a new as yet untitled studio album.

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Interview

T Lavitz: Back to School

Read "T Lavitz: Back to School" reviewed by Ian Patterson


Pianist/keyboardist T Lavitz's School of the Arts (Magnatude, 2007) brings together guitarists Steve Morse and Frank Gambale, drummer Dave Weckl, bassist John Patitucci and violinist Jerry Goodman. It's a mouth-watering line-up which produces some real sparks, with its exhilarating unison playing and virtuoso performances.

Where School of the Arts marks a departure from Lavitz's recorded output so far is that this is an all-acoustic affair. Imagine a hybrid of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, the Chick Corea Electric ...

173
Album Review

School of the Arts Featuring T Lavitz: School of the Arts

Read "School of the Arts" reviewed by Ian Patterson


Given the musicians assembled by pianist T.Lavitz on School of the Arts, it would hardly be hedging your bets to expect an out-and-out chops fest. What may come as a surprise, however, is that it is practically an all-acoustic affair. And whilst the tempo of the music is almost relentlessly fast, there are not so many solos that you'd lose count. When they do come, though, you'd better hang onto your hat.

With all bar two ...

260
Album Review

School of the Arts Featuring T Lavitz: School of the Arts

Read "School of the Arts" reviewed by John Kelman


It may be an all-acoustic affair (with the exception of electric bass), but School of the Arts bristles with fusion energy. That will come as no surprise to anyone familiar with even a few of the names on this project spearheaded by pianist T Lavitz, who first came to attention in 1979 when he joined The Dixie Dregs, guitarist Steve Morse's country-tinged progressive fusion group that released a string of outstanding albums between 1975 and 1982, and still reconvenes on ...

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212

Obituary

T. Lavitz: 1956-2010

T. Lavitz: 1956-2010

Source: JamBase

FAMED KEYBOARDIST PASSES AWAY AT THE AGES OF 54 Keyboardist T. Lavitz died unexpectedly in his sleep on the evening of Thursday, October 7. He was 54 years old. In 1978, Lavitz was invited to join the Dixie Dregs, where he would remain as a keyboardist until their breakup in 1983. Since then, Lavitz released 7 solo albums and worked with Widespread Panic on their 1991 self-titled album for Capricorn Records and subsequent tour. Along with Jimmy Herring, Alphonso Johnson ...

71

Interview

Keyboardist T Lavitz Interviewed at AAJ

Keyboardist T Lavitz Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz

Pianist/keyboardist T Lavitz's School of the Arts (Magnatude, 2007) brings together guitarists Steve Morse and Frank Gambale, drummer Dave Weckl, bassist John Patitucci and violinist Jerry Goodman. It's a mouth-watering line-up which produces some real sparks, with its exhilarating unison playing and virtuoso performances.

Where School of the Arts marks a departure from Lavitz's recorded output so far is that this is an all-acoustic affair. Imagine a hybrid of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, the Chick Corea Electric Band and the Dixie ...

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

School of the Arts

Magnatude Records
2007

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T Lavitz And The Bad...

Intima Records
1989

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From The West

Intima Records
1987

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Storytime

Intima Records
1986

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Extended Play

Intima Records
1984

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