Results for "Jazz piano"

Marta Karassawa

Born: September 21, 1964

Marta Karassawa is a Brazilian pianist whose musical journey has been marked by an intense passion for music and a career defined by overcoming challenges. She was born in Niterói - RJ and grew up as the oldest daughter in a family of engineers and architects where music always held a special place, even if it was not a career pursued by her family members.

Early on, Marta showed a liking for the piano and began taking lessons at the age of 7, initially only as a hobby. However, her love for music deepened over time, and although se studied Architecture and Urban Planning in Brazil, her passion for music drove Marta to change her career course. Determined to pursue her passion, Marta began her transformative path to the prestigious Berklee College of Music where she received a scholarship. This experience gave her the unique opportunity to learn from jazz legends such as Danilo Perez, Horace Silver and Pat Metheny, and attend inspired workshops. Her dedication resulted in graduating with honors with a diploma in Performance and Arranging.

Brenda Earle Stokes

Born: October 22, 1976

Brenda Earle Stokes is a rare jazz artist with a true command of both the voice and the piano.  Hailed as “a breezy delight” by Time Out New York, Brenda’s music is rooted in the jazz tradition with influences ranging from Brazilian music to music theater and rock radio.

As a bandleader she has toured clubs and festivals across the US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia and has released 6 albums own her own label.  Widely considered to be one of the top singer/pianists in the field, Stokes is back with her first album of completely original songs.

In her latest album Motherhood, Brenda shares the journey of motherhood with songs exploring identity, fear, expectations, body image, friendship and growth.  Rooted in her native language of jazz, Stokes drew additional inspiration from singer-songwriters, music theater, spoken word and 1960s protest songs.  Each song is richly orchestrated by a four-piece ensemble jazz ensemble which provides an energetic backdrop for Stokes’ material which is at once honest, thought provoking and laced with humor.

Syna Awel

Karim Ziad, drummer, percussionist arranged this new album shaped around Syna Awel and himself along with David Aubaile on piano and flutes and Pierre Bonnet on bass. Sung mainly in the Berber language but also in French, these ten songs transport us into oriental atmospheres, bendirs, Krakeb and derboukas and many more. Yet the piano also injects jazz motifs and even pop harmonies. By listening, we will also hear some Occitan influences. Music doesn’t like borders. In this beautiful setting of sounds, shaped by inspired musicians, the voice of Syna Awel develops at ease, it is power with a myriad of nuances.

Geoffrey Dean

Dr. Geoffrey Dean is a jazz pianist, composer, author and educator currently performing in the Washington DC area. His music spans the entire genre of jazz – from blues and hard bop influences to classical music, R&B and modern jazz.

Geoffrey Dean currently performs and teaches in the Northern Virginia/DC region. His newest jazz quartet album "Foundations" featuring Harish Raghavan on Bass, Dr. Eric Binder on Drums, and Justin Copeland on Trumpet can be found streaming everywhere as well as on CD and vinyl. Dr. Dean has recently authored an educational book on how to play modern jazz piano titled “Kenny Kirkland’s Harmonic and Rhythmic Language: A Model For The Modern Jazz Pianist”. It can be purchased at kennykirkland.com as well as the Jamey Aebersold website at jazzbooks.com

Sebastian Schneider

Born: March 13, 1995

Sebastian Schneider is an Austrian pianist, composer and music producer whose love for music and keyboard instruments goes way back into his childhood. Being trained as a classical organist in his youth at the conservatory while playing in different bands he has developed a style which blends technical brilliance with musical maturity already at a young age. While studying popular music at the prestigious University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna he became an in demand pianist and started touring for several bands and working with some Austrian pop artists. His concert activities brought him to countries like Hong Kong, China, Nepal, Mexico, Kuba, Egypt and many European ones as well

Michael Collins

Michael Collins, pianist and award-winning composer, is a graduate of the Thornton School of Music at USC, where he studied with jazz masters Shelly Berg, Russ Ferrante, and Kim Richmond. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Michael studied in his own back yard with jazz legend Armand Boatman at the "Granada Conservatory" (Armand's living room on Granada Street). Michael's piano playing and arranging is modern yet deeply rooted in the jazz tradition. His big band composition "Sketch Artist" was awarded honorable mention in the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Awards, and his big band arrangement of "El Sur" was featured on "40 Acres and a Burro," a GRAMMY-nominee for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album

Brian Clemens

Born: July, 1994

Brian Clemens is a Southern California-based pianist, arranger, composer, educator, and bandleader. Brian enjoys a career as a versatile pianist covering anything from Latin Jazz, Great American Songbook, R&B, and country-western music. After obtaining a Bachelor's Degree in Music from Chapman University in Orange, CA, Brian continued his education with a Master's Degree in Music Performance (Jazz and Commercial Music) from Cal State Fullerton where he was a two time winner of the "Friends of Jazz" Scholarship Award.

Brian has played at internationally and at well-known Orange and Los Angeles County venues such as Herb Albert's Vibrato Jazz Grille, The Coach House,  and more and has studied with world-class classical and jazz musicians such as the Grammy Award-winning pianist, Bill Cunliffe

Maria Grapsa

Piano song, improvisation & modern jazz writing are the means that Maria portrays her musical journey. As a classically trained, explorative jazz musician, she empowers her sextet to flow free form through original compositions; steam hard in tenor jazz and intricate, emotionally-charged cinematic ballads. Maria’s Greek roots and folk, middle-East, Latin influences, meet jazz in a unique way. 

Louise Denson

Louise Denson is a pianist, composer/arranger, improviser and educator. She holds a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the Queensland Conservatorium (Brisbane) where she was a Senior Lecturer in Jazz Studies, 1999-2020. She completed her Masters in Jazz at New England Conservatory (Boston), studying with such luminaries as Paul Bley, George Russell, Bevan Manson and Joe Maneri. She has issued 7 CDs, 3 through labels and 4 independently. Nova Nova (2021) earned a 4-star review in the Weekend Australian Review, and Colours of Your Love (2018, with Ingrid James and Wild Silk Strings Project) received acclaim from around the world

Bennett Paster

Born: February 10, 1970

Bennett Paster - Keyboardist, composer, and musician Paster is one of New York City’s most creative and versatile musicians. He has performed original music at clubs, concerts and festivals in the United States, the Caribbean, South and Central America, Central and South Asia and throughout Europe. He has performed with jazz and blues stars Wallace Roney, Keb Mo, Robben Ford, Kurt Elling, Curtis Stigers, Rufus Reid, Bill Stewart, Billy Hart, Peter Erskine, Albert “Tootie” Heath, Ndugu Chancler and Yosvany Terry among others. He has also performed with musical theater and cabaret stars Christine Ebersole, Ann Hampton Calloway and Michael Cerveris