Take Five With John Escreet

He leads his own group The John Escreet Project, which is described by The New York Times as "a superb band," and which features some of the most exciting and forward-thinking improvising musical talents on the New York jazz scene—David Binney (alto saxophone), Ambrose Akinmusire (trumpet), Matt Brewer (double-bass) and Tyshawn Sorey (drums). John's highly anticipated debut album with this group, Consequences, was released in September 2008 on the Posi-Tone label, and quickly received widespread critical acclaim, including being voted "Best debut of 2008" by All About Jazz New York. It is also described by All About Jazz as "a scintillating work of modern progressive jazz," and by The New York Times as "a highly accomplished debut."

John has worked frequently in David Binney's regular group in NYC, and was also part of the world premier performance of the saxophonist's new Big Band at The Jazz Gallery. In June 2007 John played a weekend engagement at Smalls Jazz Club in New York with his own group that featured Ari Hoenig (drums) and Adam Rogers (guitar).

John is also a member of a collective called The Story, which features some of the most exciting and creative young musicians in NYC—Lars Dietrich (alto saxophone), Samir Zarif (tenor saxophone), Zack Lober (double-bass) and Greg Ritchie (drums). Their debut album is released March 2009. John is also a member of The TransAtlantic Collective, which is a new contemporary jazz ensemble, whose members and collaborators are some of the top emerging artists from New York City and London.

John also occasionally leads a trio, which features bassist Orlando LeFleming, and drummer Rodney Green. Since being in NYC, John has also had the opportunity to perform with many other great musicians, including Wayne Krantz, Chris Potter, Seamus Blake, Will Vinson, Logan Richardson, Ben van Gelder, Marcus Gilmore, Dan Weiss and many more.

As well as performing at most of New York City's major jazz venues, John has performed at important international jazz venues such as the Blue Note (Milan), Bimhuis (Amsterdam), Ronnie Scott's (London), Upstairs (Montreal), and has also performed at major concert halls such as the Royal Albert Hall, the Purcell Room and the CBSO Centre. John is also active in jazz education, and has given clinics and workshops at institutions such as the Royal Academy of Music (London), Birmingham Conservatoire (Birmingham UK), McGill University (Montreal), Humber College (Toronto) and Loyola University (New Orleans).

Instrument(s):

Piano, keyboards.

Teachers and/or influences?

Teachers: Jason Moran, Kenny Barron

Other Pianist Influences: Andrew Hill, Paul Bley, Craig Taborn, Vijay Iyer, Aaron Parks and others.

I knew I wanted to be a musician when... I was born.

Your sound and approach to music: Always listen.

Your dream band:

My ideal band is the band on my first CD, Consequences—David Binney, Ambrose Akinmusire, Matt Brewer, Tyshawn Sorey. And the group The Story, which is Lars Dietrich, Samir Zarif, Zack Lober and Greg Ritchie.

Favorite venue:

55 Bar, Jazz Gallery.

Your favorite recording in your discography and why?

The first Jazz album I bought was: Herbie Hancock, The New Standard (Verve).

What do you think is the most important thing you are contributing musically? Trying to contribute my own voice.

CDs you are listening to now:

Andrew Hill, Change (Blue Note);

David Binney, Third Occasion (Mythology);

Gerald Cleaver, Farmers By Nature (AUM Fidelity);

Greg Osby, Nine Levels (Inner Circle Music).

Desert Island picks:

Lee Konitz, Motion (Verve);

Miles Davis, Complete Live at the Plugged Nickel (Columbia);

Anja Garbarek, Smiling and Waving (EMI);

Glenn Gould, Goldberg Variations (1981) (Sony/BMG).

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