Results for "piano"

John Blum

Born: April 15, 1968

John Blum was born in New York City, April 15, 1968 and has been a mainstay of the free-jazz community there for over 15 years. While in Europe in 1992, he recorded with Clarinetist Tony Scott’s Trio which included Antonio Grippi on Alto Sax. Upon returning to New York City, Blum became a member of the Improvisers Collective (1993-1995) and also initiated projects as a soloist and a group leader. By early 1998 he joined together with Antonio Grippi on Saxophone, William Parker on Bass, and Denis Charles on Drums to form The” Astrogeny Quartet”. A CD of this group was released on Eremite records in 2005

Larry Natwick

Born: February 12, 1942

Larry Natwick is a jazz pianist and composer with over fifty years of performance experience in jazz clubs, concerts and festivals. Originally from Northern California, Larry studied piano and music theory at San Francisco State University. The rich cultural scene of the Bay Area would prove to be a vital source of inspiration and instruction, leading to more advanced studies with Mike Nock and Kent Glenn. In 1979, Larry moved to the Pacific Northwest and during his twenty year residency there played every major festival including "Bumbershoot" and "Earshot" in Seattle, and the "Mt

Justin Kauflin

Born: March 10, 1986

Justin Kauflin is an award-winning, American "jazz pianist who favors a clarity of touch and ideas ... his writing is balanced, tempering post bop tendencies with the assurances of the gospel church" New York Times.  As leader, player, composer, and producer, Justin Kauflin has released 10 recordings to date and collaborated on over 30 projects.  For 10 years, Justin has worked and toured under the management of Quincy Jones and Quincy Jones Productions.

​ In 2015, Justin had the incredible honor of performing on Oscar Peterson's personal Bosendorfer on Oscar, with Love, along with 16 world-class pianists and performing with the Oscar Peterson Centennial Quartet in Canada a decade later.  In 2024 Justin released his first vinyl live recording "Justin Kauflin Trio Live at Sam First," a duo album with Thomas Fonnesbaek "Danish Rain," and collaborated on the "Dreaming Freedom" project against modern slavery and a documentary about redemption following catastrophic injury, "Full Circle."

Stu Katz

Born: June 9, 1937

Stu Katz has been a working jazz pianist and vibraphonist for more than 70 years.

Over his long career, he has performed in numerous public venues with young and old bebop luminaries including Gene Ammons, Gary Bartz, Kenny Burrell, Joey DeFrancesco, Dexter Gordon, Bunky Green, Roy Haynes, Milt Jackson, "Philly" Joe Jones, Clifford Jordan, Russell Malone, James Moody, Zoot Sims, Sonny Stitt, Ira Sullivan and Phil Woods.

Stu has played piano or vibes at the Snowmass Jazz Festival, in twelve different Chicago Jazz Festivals and on six jazz-themed cruises on Norwegian Cruise Lines. In 1990, he toured Italy and Switzerland as the pianist in a quartet led by a long-time collaborator, alto saxophonist Bunky Green. In August, 2010, Stu played piano and vibes in a quintet co-led by another long-time musical partner multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan at Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase in Chicago. A live recording of those performances titled A Family Affair - Ira Sullivan and Stu Katz - Live at Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase was released on September 20, 2011 on the Origin label. In August, 2012, Stu opened the Chicago Jazz Festival playing vibes in a duo setting with pianist, Willie Pickens, a third long-time collaborator.

In April, 2015, when Joe Segal was honored with an NEA Jazz Masters Award for Advocacy, a quintet was assembled to play a tribute to him at the Awards Ceremony held at Lincoln Center in New York. Stu was the pianist in that quintet, joined by Jimmy Heath on soprano saxophone, Ira Sullivan on alto saxophone, Ray Drummond on bass and Jimmy Cobb on drums.

Darwin Noguera

Nicaraguan pianist, band leader and composer Darwin Noguera debuted with the Miami Beach Symphony Orchestra at the young age of 14, and continued his studies under the tutelage of Eteri Andjaparidze and Larry Novack at DePaul University. He has accomplished an unusual and fluid integration between classical, jazz, flamenco and Latin rhythms. Darwin is the co-founder and composer for the Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble (CALJE) and also founded the Evolution Quintet. The quintet will be releasing its debut album in June 2009 under the Chicago Sessions label. He has performed with legends such as Steve Turre, Brian Lynch, Paoli Mejias and Howard Levy and often collaborates and plays with local musicians, including Greg Ward, Jesus Enriquez and Guitars of Spain. Most recently Darwin toured his native Nicaragua with the second annual Nicaraguan International Jazz Festival and will be participating with his trio in 2009 once again

Nigel Patterson

Born: October 22, 1979

Nigel Patterson is a jazz pianist/composer based in Wellington,New Zealand. 2009 sees the release of his debut album "INVOCATION" on his own label NEXT. The album is called "INVOCATION" it has 10 original compositions in a classic piano,acoustic bass and drums format. Nigel takes influences from Duke Ellington,Thelonious Monk,Cecil Taylor,Herbie Nichols,Andrew Hill,McCoy Tyner,Mal Waldron and lots more. Its has a 60's soul jazz feel to it with a modern groove element.

Ramon Valle

Born: October 29, 1964

Cuban pianist Ramon Valle is a seasoned veteran with the explosive energy of a racehorse straight out of the gate. At this pivotal point in his career, Valle is on the runway and primed for TAKE OFF. Ramon’s stage presence is commanding, whether within the ranks of an orchestra or leading a trio. His performances and stage presence are charismatic, his music – intoxicating. No longer a diamond-in-the-rough, he is the perfectly cut gem. “Sometimes I feel like a troubadour,” he says, “because I tell stories, but stories without words.” Under the guidance and Management of world-renown Producer Suzi Reynolds, Valle’s career has been sculpted to not only showcase his versatility as a composer, arranger, and performer of his own works, but on his forthcoming release, also offers his own ‘take-offs’ on the great works of other artists, passionately interpreting the harmonies of Stevie Wonder, the poignant lyrics of Leonard Cohen and the spirit of John Coltrane. Valle was only seven when he began studying the piano at the Escuela Nacional de Arte in his hometown of Holguín, Cuba

Henrik Blichmann

Born: September 4, 1914

Pianist - Composer - Leader of bigger bands and smaller combos, Henrik Blichmann, Copenhagen, Denmark, was one of the pioneers of Danish jazz. He created his first swing band at the age of only 20. Soon his band got very popular and was live broadcast on national radio on a regular basis from e.g. the dance hall of the National Scala.

After Duke Ellington's first two concerts in Copenhagen on April 13, 1939, which Blichmann attended according to the jazz gossip press, Duke Ellington went to listen to the Henrik Blichmann Swing Band playing at the night club of Riddersalen. 24 years old Blichmann also played a solo, the Ellington composition of Swampy River, after which Ellington wrote on the sheet: To Blichmann, I wish I could play it as well now. Duke Ellington.

Roman Stolyar

Born: December 6, 1967

Roman Stolyar was born in Novosibirsk, Russia, in the family of engineers and received his first musical experiences at state music school. Then, being a student of Novosibirsk Institute of Electrical Engineering, he made his first steps to studying jazz - first privately, then, after his decision to leave the career of engineer, at Novosibirsk musical college where he entered in 1989. His teacher was Igor Dmitriyev, the most famous Siberian traditional jazz pianist and educator. During studying jazz at the college Roman chose the way of contemporary and free jazz enriched by elements of classical composing and folk roots

Tonal Concepts

Born: February 26, 1984

Among his generation of artists, pianist Jimothy Rogers is known for his musical insight and intense focus, key ingredients for a future of success. Born in Baltimore Maryland, Jimothy Rogers began studying the piano at the age of four with Charles Arnette. At age fourteen, he entered the Peabody Preparatory of Music to develop his foundational training. This training solidified his love for classical music, leading him to receive a Bachelors degree from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music in Piano Performance. Jimothy studied with concert pianist Awadagin Pratt and renowned pedagogues Elizabeth Pridonoff and Michael Chertock. As a student at both Morehouse College and Morgan State University, Jimothy held the position of accompanist for both world renowned choirs, traveling extensively, performing in major U.S