Results for "Jazz piano"

Ben Matthews

Ben Matthews was drawn to the piano at a young age, following a passion for artistic expression through improvisation and composition. He performs in a unique style that blends genres drawing influence from jazz legends like Herbie Hancock and Oscar Peterson, and from soundtrack titans like John Williams and Joe Hisaishi (Studio Ghibli), and from other pianistic composers like Ludovico Einaudi and Ryuichi Sakamoto. After a decade performing as both a sideman and bandleader with some of Australia’s top-tier musicians, WAAPA graduate jazz pianist and contemporary keyboardist Ben Matthews turned his focus to composition in late 2015

Alli Bean

Born: February 21, 1985

Victoria, BC, Canada's Alli Bean is a multi-award-winning Canadian powerhouse blues/jazz/pop- influenced songwriter and vocalist. Drawing influence from a list of artists including Wynton Kelly, Horace Silver, Fiona Apple and Amy Winehouse, her compositional style leans toward the bluesy funky side of the street, with a twist of jazz and a dash of sass for good measure.

Since her start in classical piano in the 90’s, Bean has explored diverse popular styles of music from country and rock to R&B, as well as attained a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Studies.

Currently on the roster of Indie Entertainment, she has experience in multi genre bands and ensembles

Ariel Kasler

Born: 1981

Guitarist and pianist Ariel Kasler holds a Master of Music in Jazz Performance from Bowling Green State University, a Bachelor of Music from Berklee College of Music, and an Alexander Technique Teaching Certificate from the Toronto School of the Alexander Technique. The Ariel Kasler Quintet has released the albums Make it Bloom (2022) and Above the Sound (2015), featuring original compositions and arrangements. With the Thompson-Kasler Duo, he performs and commissions contemporary music for electric guitar and saxophone with saxophonist Bobbi Thompson. Ariel is currently an Assistant Teaching Professor at BGSU, where he has been teaching since 2015

Wild Blue Herons

Born: May 7

Wild Blue Herons (WBH) are Bill Sample and Darlene Cooper. They play mostly groove-oriented jazz. It’s a little bit hip, a bit cool, a bit smoky, a bit bluesy…But very much ACCESSIBLE. They perform original songs and select standards, ranging from funk to blues to R & B but with a jazz twist and a definite gospel influence. Their songs are filled with themes of love and social consciousness. This husband and wife team met through the Vancouver-based Marcus Mosely Chorale (MMC) working together as musical director (Bill) and choral director (Darlene). They found an instant connection in their musical styles, love of theory, complex chords, and groove

Nery Kim

Born: September 6

Nery Kim is a South Korean pianist and composer who began playing piano at the age of six. She is known for her original compositions and harmonic sensibility in the jazz genre. Nery has performed as both a leader and sideman in a variety of jazz styles, and her talents have taken her around the world to places such as Indonesia, South Korea, China, Turkey, Central America, and the United States. She has worked with numerous musicians as a composer, arranger, pianist, and keyboardist on various albums. In 2021, Nery released her debut album, "PURPLE REFLECTION," featuring John Petitucci, Alex Sipiagin, Dayna Stephen, Alan Ferber, and Jonathan Pinson. 

Kevin Hart

Born: October 10, 1966

Kevin Hart is a jazz vibraphonist, pianist and drummer from Central Illinois. His stylistically eclectic The Road to Everywhere was chosen as a 2005 recommended release by Laura Kennedy from WGLT who says, “Kevin Hart is a masterful musician—a generous artist with style, class and a forever sense of fun. His originals sparkle with innovation and cosmopolitan charm and as Axel F demonstrates, his choice of cover material reveals imagination and vision.” Latin-flavored Corazón was also a 2010 top ten pick by KXLU in Los Angeles. Early on, Kevin played his father’s drums to jazz records, studied piano as required by his mother, imitated Lionel Hampton on an older sister’s vibraphone, and began drumming with local pros at 15

Harold Land Jr

Harold Land, Jr. has toured Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America with Jazz and Funk legends such as Marvin Gaye, Roy Ayers, Gerald Wilson, Freddie Hubbard, Kenny Burrell, Pharoah Sanders, Lee Morgan, Roland Kirk, and many others.

The Crusaders' pianist Joe Sample introduced Harold to Wayne Henderson. The meeting led to Harold's first professional gig, and to his first two album appearances, including the cult favorite "People Get Ready". He credits bandleader Gerald Wilson with giving him his first traditional Jazz gig, which came shortly after his time with Henderson. Harold accumulated important credits touring with Jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell and saxophonist Pharoah Sanders.

Miho Sasaki

Born: November 6, 1981

Miho Sasaki is a jazz pianist originally from Japan. Born in Tokyo, she began to play piano at the age of 5 and continued studying music through high school. After her exposure to jazz and enrolling in a jazz program for two years, she began her musical career. She has performed in many venues and has taught in Tokyo. In 2016, she received a scholarship from the Rotary Foundation to study abroad, which led her to the jazz program of SUNY Purchase. Approaching her third year in the program, she was selected as the prestigious James Moody Scholarship recipient. She has performed at many jazz venues in New York City, such as Tomi Jazz, Cleopatra's Needle, and Knickerbocker Bar and Grill

Junichiro Mataga

Born: August 20, 1982

Junichiro Mataga is a Jazz Pianist, Jazz Composer, Arranger, and Educator based in New York City. He grew up in Niigata, Japan. He began playing piano when at six years old. He moved to Tokyo after graduating high school and began studying Jazz Piano in the University Jazz Club. He graduated from The University of Electro-Communications with a major in Master of Engineering and then worked as a Sound and Vibration Researcher at the Central Research Lab of NEC Corporation. In parallel, he was active in the Jazz scene in Tokyo, Japan. He performed in his leader band, the big band “Shiny Stockings”, the gospel band “7season”, and the jazz quartet “Beyond the Cinema”

Quentin Walston

Born: October 24, 1992

Quentin Walston is an active pianist, educator, and author of How to Teach Jazz & Improvisation. His book equips music educators of all backgrounds to bring jazz into classrooms and lessons. He is also the founder of This Is Jazz, a company dedicated to jazz education and appreciation. Quentin Walston performs with his jazz trio and as a solo pianist, blending memorable melodies and striking rhythms with adventurous improvisations. His album Retro Future features original works inspired by masters from Thelonious Monk to Jason Moran. Through workshops and seminars for all ages covering jazz, composition, and music history, Quentin brings passionate expertise to jazz performance and education in any setting, classroom or concert hall.