Results for "Contemporary Jazz"

Alexis Tcholakian

Born: July 12, 1969

Alexis, born in Paris in 1969, is a pianist currently residing in France where he has enjoyed a fair amount of notoriety over the past decade. He studied classical piano, until his teen years, with Huguette Agédérian (concert pianist / first prize of the Académie Marguerite Long). In 1990, he won a scholarship to study jazz at the famous « Berklee College of Music » in Boston. Back in France, he developed his jazz playing with the well known jazz master Bernard Maury, friend of Bill Evans and Michel Petrucciani. Alexis Tcholakian has played in many venues in France, England, Germany, Switzerland, Morocco, Algéria, Ukraine, Armenia... and often plays in Parisians jazz clubs (Petit Opportun, Sunset, Sunside, Petit Journal Montparnasse, Jazz Act, Caveau des Légendes, 7 Lézards, Opus Café, Franc-Pinot, Archipel …) Alexis is also a sideman for many jazz singers in France. Under his own name he has recorded 14 different trio and solo CD's and 2 DVD's ​ New recording Alexis Tcholakian Duo " DIALOGOS " issued may 12, 2023 on Camille Productions Label.

Tim Chernikoff

Born: April 29, 1988

Tim Chernikoff is making a significant impact on the New York jazz scene with his unique style that blends the traditions of bebop and swing with personal exploration. His commitment to discovering his musical identity through both composition and improvisation sets him apart, earning him praise from fellow musicians like Dan Haerle for his inventiveness.

Chernikoff's journey has taken him across the U.S., performing with top-tier musicians in diverse locales such as the Bay Area, Dallas Fort Worth, and New York City. His education spans renowned institutions, including the Stanford Jazz Workshop, North Texas, and the Manhattan School of Music, enriching his artistic perspective.

De Beren Gieren

Active since: 2009

Better than anyone else, De Beren Gieren know how to blend an avant-garde sound with melodious pieces and references to the great classical composers of the 20th century. They effortlessly shift from more rigidly styled compositions to improvised sections and thus reveal the pulsating and ominous futuristic sound of a new world. More so than in previous albums, on “Dug Out Skyscrapers” (Sdban) harmonies and compelling grooves interact and disclose the future of the past... the album’s ‘Leitmotif’. Like dedicated archaeologists from the future, De Beren Gieren use subtle electronic effects to uncover the potential of their acoustic instruments layer by layer

Fran Vielma

Born: April 11, 1981

Francisco “Fran” Vielma born and raised in Mérida, Venezuela, a multicultural college town where arts are part of the daily life of its citizens. Encouraged by his mother Maritza Vielma, a music lover, he started in the musical world by singing, playing Venezuelan Cuatro, and taking core music courses at The Andes University Arts Center (CUDA). 

His drumming journey began as a teenager with Caribbean and orchestral percussion, which he developed in parallel at Youth Symphonic Orchestra – “El Sistema” and playing in local Salsa bands. He later became a member of “Kimbandú” – a research music ensemble that traveled around the country to study and document musical expressions of Venezuela. 

Before moving to Caracas early 2000’s, created “Nuevas Almas” World Jazz Ensamble along with drummer/composer Diego Maldonado to play their original compositions and arrangements

Francis Hon

Born in Taipei, Taiwan, Dr. Francis Hon (洪維浩) began playing classical piano at the age of six. In 2011, Francis moved to the United States to pursue a Doctorate in Piano Performance at The University of Texas at Austin, where he studied with Gregory Allen, the Grand Prize winner of the 1980 Arthur Rubinstein International Piano Competition. Francis was always influenced by a variety of musical genres, which formed the foundation of his future musical style. Francis ignited his passion for jazz music in Austin, “the live music capital of the world.” While continuing his classical piano studies, he took up jazz piano with Jeff Hellmer and started playing with many musicians on the Austin jazz scene. He also worked as the Assistant Artistic Director and Lead Pianist for “Life in the City,” a weekly concert with jazz music and other genres. Francis’ final doctorate thesis in the work of Nikolai Kapustin solidified his interest in combining elements of classical music with the jazz idiom.

Benjamin Lee

Born: 1990

It all started with a music teacher who needed to add some low end to her third grade orchestra. She picked the tallest kid in the room, who had his big hands wrapped around a cello at the time, and said “Hey! Take a look here, come play this upright bass!” That kid was Benjamin Lee, and once he heard the resonant tones of the largest instrument he had ever seen, he was hooked. Born in Los Angeles, California, Ben grew up in an incredibly diverse soundscape. His first library of music was his father’s record collection, which melded Laurel Canyon sounds with classic rock, folk, jazz, soul, and spirituals

Javier Subatin

Born: March 11, 1985

Javier Subatin was born in Buenos Aires in 1985 and he is now living in Lisbon. In Buenos Aires, at the age of ten, he felt the calling for music and guitar playing. When he was 14 he started composing music for guitar and different ensembles and his curiosity about music led him to study jazz guitar, improvisation and composition with several teachers. In 2005 he completed the first year of the Bachelor on Electroacoustic Composition at the Quilmes University and in 2008 he got a Bachelor’s degree in popular music with a specialization in Tango guitar. Between 2012 and 2013 he studied music production at INARTEC

Vito Liturri

Born: October 15, 1965

Vito Liturri is an italian composer and pianist, and a teacher at the Music Conservatory in Bari, Italy. He studied composition with Giacomo Manzoni, Sandro Gorli and Dinu Ghezzo, conducting with Nicola Samale, Roberto Duarte and Rino Marrone, electronic music with Agostino Di Scipio, classical piano with Giuseppe Binetti, Angela Montemurro and Emanuele Arciuli and jazz piano with Nico Marziliano; he also attended Siena Jazz advanced course. For 28 years now, he’s been teaching composition in italian Music Conservatories, and recently he also taught jazz composition in Matera. His music cover a wide range of styles, and tends to melt jazz with contemporary music, electronic music and progressive rock

Polygon Quartet

Polygon launched their first album "Monkey Puzzle" at the 2017 Manchester Jazz Festival. They are a jazz saxophone quartet made up of 4 internationally award winning saxophone players. With original material written by Tom Thorp (Soprano/Alto) and Kyran Matthews (Baritone) Polygon blend the complex interplay of classical chamber music with fiery and virtuosic jazz improvisations. Their energetic performances see them journey through the realms of free improvisation to classic be-bop styles, alongside elements of classical music, funk and contemporary European jazz, using a variety of sax groupings

Vel Lewis

Born: November 30, 1954

Vel Lewis (legal name is Velbert Lewis, Jr.) is an American contemporary jazz musician born on November 30, 1954, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His primary instrument of choice is the Hammond organ; however he also plays piano, synthesizer keyboards, drums, and electric bass guitar.

He began his music career in 1965 as a 1st soprano vocalist with the Philadelphia All-Boys Choir under the direction of Dr. Carlton J. Lake. He attended Settlement Music School for vocal/piano training. He also began studies on concert flute. In 1966, he switched from flute to organ, and advanced to 1st soprano soloist in the Philadelphia All-Boys Choir Small Ensemble group. In 1967, he traveled with the Philadelphia All-Boys Choir Small Ensemble to Montreal, Canada and appeared at Expo ’67 as lead soloist. In 1968, he continued organ studies on the Hammond organ with Mr. Milton Myers, then with Dr. E. Woodley Kalehoff, Sr., White House pianist to U.S. President Harry Truman in 1969 for three years. He attended Overbrook High School between 1969 and 1972. During these years, he performed on a televised jazz program playing organ with drummer Gerry Brown and bassist John Lee, and recorded Hammond organ on gospel recording sessions for ABC's Peacock Record label with producer Ira Tucker, Sr. for albums by groups known as The Sensational Nightingales, The Gospelaires, and The Dixie Hummingbirds. In 1972, he was under recording contract with Philadelphia International Records, performing with a vocal group known as "The Futures". The group was known for their single, "Love Is Here".