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Jeff Baumeister

Philadelphia jazz pianist

About Me

Jeff Baumeister is an artist deserving wider recognition, he is the newcomer alongside more established forward-thinking folks like Dave Douglas, Kenny Wheeler, Dave Holland, Bill Frisell, Tomasz Stanko and others - he's got his own thing happening that bodes well for the future. - John Kelman, All About Jazz.com

His debut CD as a leader Useful Music rapidly garnered universal critical acclaim, acknowledged by The Philadelphia Inquirer as, “a refined study of high-end improvisation, full of quiet but fiery interplay, cerebral and engaging,” by All About Jazz as, “a completely modern take on an established aesthetic, Useful Music has all the potential to be a classic,” and by David Demsey, from William Paterson University as, “improvised music with the lyricism of the best-composed music of the last century.”

John Kelman, Senior Editor from All About Jazz continues, “Useful Music establishes a new player and writer— who, if there's any justice, will attract the attention of those who know the reach of modern jazz extends well beyond the narrow confines of more traditional convention.”

Jeff earned degrees in Jazz Piano Performance from William Paterson University (B.M.) and the University of the Arts (M.M.). Aside from college, he studied classical piano with Sam Bellardo, and jazz improvisation with Uri Caine, Tom Lawton, Al Stauffer, and Jim McNeely. He also studied composing and arranging with McNeely and Manny Albam at the BMI Jazz Composer's Workshop in NYC.

Jeff teaches music theory, history and jazz studies at Bucks County Community College in Newtown, Pa. As a regular contributor to DownBeat magazine, many of his jazz transcription and analysis essays have been published. These include solos by Dave Douglas, Uri Caine, John Zorn, Tomasz Stanko, Dave Hollands, Herbie Hancock, and Bill Evans.

Most recently, Jeff has been commissioned to compose a jazz suite for ten musicians commemorating Bucks County Community College's 50th anniversary. The piece is called ”Portraits from the Pub” and will premiere in spring 2014.

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