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john hicks
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John Hicks:
"It was Clark Terry who got me into the mess I'm in today," quipped John Hicks, his sarcasm laced with huge appreciation. "Clark, along with (fellow St. Louis natives) Miles Davis and Oliver Nelson, encouraged me to come to New York."
And since relocating to New York City from St Louis more than 30 years ago, John Hicks is so firmly established among the most in-demand, prolific jazz pianists and composers on the recording and live appearance scenes, critics seem to have permanently affixed the adjective "ubiquitous" to his name. As a leader or first-call sideman, playing inside the chord changes or outside, presenting sparkling ballads or burning up the keyboard at torrid tempos, Hicks is as versatile as he is omnipresent.
John's varied influences include Fats Waller piano rolls, Methodist church music, George Gershwin and bebop, and among his musical mentors were such immortals as Lucky Thompson, Miles Davis and Clark Terry. Hicks played road gigs with blues legends Little Milton and Albert King, and jazz greats Al Grey, Johnny Griffin and Pharaoh Sanders before he arrived in New York in 1963. John then worked with, among numerous others, Kenny Dorham, Lou Donaldson and Joe Henderson before becoming a full-time member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. After two years with the seminal Messengers band, John joined the Betty Carter Trio, another important incubator for world-class beboppers. His productive stints with the vocalist Carter (1966-68) and (1975-80) and a 20-month residency with the Woody Herman Big Band helped to propel John's career as a recording artist into national notice.
The intervening years also saw Hicks appear live and on record with a galaxy of jazz giants that included Sonny Rollins, Freddie Hubbard, Frank Foster, Roy Haynes, Sonny Stitt, Jon Hendricks and James Moody ...
"It was Clark Terry who got me into the mess I'm in today," quipped John Hicks, his sarcasm laced with huge appreciation. "Clark, along with (fellow St. Louis natives) Miles Davis and Oliver Nelson, encouraged me to come to New York."
And since relocating to New York City from St Louis more than 30 years ago, John Hicks is so firmly established among the most in-demand, prolific jazz pianists and composers on the recording and live appearance scenes, critics seem to have permanently affixed the adjective "ubiquitous" to his name. As a leader or first-call sideman, playing inside the chord changes or outside, presenting sparkling ballads or burning up the keyboard at torrid tempos, Hicks is as versatile as he is omnipresent.
John's varied influences include Fats Waller piano rolls, Methodist church music, George Gershwin and bebop, and among his musical mentors were such immortals as Lucky Thompson, Miles Davis and Clark Terry. Hicks played road gigs with blues legends Little Milton and Albert King, and jazz greats Al Grey, Johnny Griffin and Pharaoh Sanders before he arrived in New York in 1963. John then worked with, among numerous others, Kenny Dorham, Lou Donaldson and Joe Henderson before becoming a full-time member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. After two years with the seminal Messengers band, John joined the Betty Carter Trio, another important incubator for world-class beboppers. His productive stints with the vocalist Carter (1966-68) and (1975-80) and a 20-month residency with the Woody Herman Big Band helped to propel John's career as a recording artist into national notice.
The intervening years also saw Hicks appear live and on record with a galaxy of jazz giants that included Sonny Rollins, Freddie Hubbard, Frank Foster, Roy Haynes, Sonny Stitt, Jon Hendricks and James Moody ...
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Jan 7, 2006
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Other links at Keyboard, Piano > piano players: jazz
Pianist Onaje Allan Gumb's website features reviews, sound bites, itinerary, biography, cds.
Onaje Allan Gumbs is one of the industry’s most respected and talented musical collaborators. He has worked for more than 30 years with an illustrious list of jazz, R&B and pop artists. In 1974, he created a special arrangement of "Stella By Starlight" for the New York Jazz Repertory Company as part of a concert honoring Miles Davis at Carnegie Hall. He followed that with live and recorded performances with such artists as Lenny White, Buster Williams, Cecil McBee and Betty Carter. In 1975,Onaje joined forces with trumpeter, Nat Adderley as part of his quintet contributing to the group’s releases on Atlantic and Steeplechase Records. Producer Nils Winter of Steeplechase upon hearing Onaje’s improvisations, invited the young pianist to record a solo piano project entitled Onaje.
In 1976, Onaje provided the arrangement for the song that was to become the signature piece for the late great vocalist Phyllis Hyman, "Betcha By Golly Wow." In 1978, the Woody Shaw Group, for which Onaje was pianist, won the Down Beat Reader’s Poll for Best Jazz Group and for Best Jazz Album (Rosewood).The album was later nominated for a Grammy. In 1985, Onaje lent his keyboard and arrangement skills to "Lady In My Life" on guitarist Stanley Jordan’s widely acclaimed debut album, Magic Touch on Blue Note Records.This was the 1st jazz album in history to maintain the #1 spot atop Billboard Magazine’s jazz charts for more than 50 weeks ...
Onaje Allan Gumbs is one of the industry’s most respected and talented musical collaborators. He has worked for more than 30 years with an illustrious list of jazz, R&B and pop artists. In 1974, he created a special arrangement of "Stella By Starlight" for the New York Jazz Repertory Company as part of a concert honoring Miles Davis at Carnegie Hall. He followed that with live and recorded performances with such artists as Lenny White, Buster Williams, Cecil McBee and Betty Carter. In 1975,Onaje joined forces with trumpeter, Nat Adderley as part of his quintet contributing to the group’s releases on Atlantic and Steeplechase Records. Producer Nils Winter of Steeplechase upon hearing Onaje’s improvisations, invited the young pianist to record a solo piano project entitled Onaje.
In 1976, Onaje provided the arrangement for the song that was to become the signature piece for the late great vocalist Phyllis Hyman, "Betcha By Golly Wow." In 1978, the Woody Shaw Group, for which Onaje was pianist, won the Down Beat Reader’s Poll for Best Jazz Group and for Best Jazz Album (Rosewood).The album was later nominated for a Grammy. In 1985, Onaje lent his keyboard and arrangement skills to "Lady In My Life" on guitarist Stanley Jordan’s widely acclaimed debut album, Magic Touch on Blue Note Records.This was the 1st jazz album in history to maintain the #1 spot atop Billboard Magazine’s jazz charts for more than 50 weeks ...
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Pianist David Hazeltine's website features reviews, sound bites, itinerary, biography, cds.
David Hazeltine is one of a handful of young pianists who has successfully forged his own distinctive style and musical voice out of the accumulated greatness and weight of a modern piano tradition. David's influences extend from Art Tatum and Bud Powell to such great living masters as Buddy Montgomery, Barry Harris and Cedar Walton.
David made his professional debut at age thirteen in Milwaukee, and later worked extensively in and around Chicago and Minneapolis. In Milwaukee, David served as house pianist at the famed Milwaukee Jazz Gallery, working with such greats as Charles McPherson, Eddie Harris, Sonny Stitt, Pepper Adams and Chet Baker. In fact, it was Baker who encouraged David to make his mark in New York City.
Since moving to New York City in 1992, David has made a name for himself as a "musician's musician." In addition to his working trio (with drum legend Louis Hayes and bassist Peter Washington), David is in constant demand as a sideman. Recent credits include work with Freddie Hubbard, James Moody, the Faddis-Hampton-Heath Sextet, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, the Louis Hayes Quintet, and Marlena Shaw, for whom he serves as pianist, arranger, and musical director. Recently David was spotlighted on Marian McPartland's "Piano Jazz" radio program. David is also a member of the band "One For All" which features rising tenor star Eric Alexander ...
David Hazeltine is one of a handful of young pianists who has successfully forged his own distinctive style and musical voice out of the accumulated greatness and weight of a modern piano tradition. David's influences extend from Art Tatum and Bud Powell to such great living masters as Buddy Montgomery, Barry Harris and Cedar Walton.
David made his professional debut at age thirteen in Milwaukee, and later worked extensively in and around Chicago and Minneapolis. In Milwaukee, David served as house pianist at the famed Milwaukee Jazz Gallery, working with such greats as Charles McPherson, Eddie Harris, Sonny Stitt, Pepper Adams and Chet Baker. In fact, it was Baker who encouraged David to make his mark in New York City.
Since moving to New York City in 1992, David has made a name for himself as a "musician's musician." In addition to his working trio (with drum legend Louis Hayes and bassist Peter Washington), David is in constant demand as a sideman. Recent credits include work with Freddie Hubbard, James Moody, the Faddis-Hampton-Heath Sextet, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, the Louis Hayes Quintet, and Marlena Shaw, for whom he serves as pianist, arranger, and musical director. Recently David was spotlighted on Marian McPartland's "Piano Jazz" radio program. David is also a member of the band "One For All" which features rising tenor star Eric Alexander ...
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Michele Rosewoman's website features sound bites, her 6 cds, New Yor-Uba projects, itinerary, biography.
Much like the most celebrated icons of jazz past, pianist/composer Michele Rosewoman is fiercely determined to use her knowledge of and respect for the genre's tradition to carry it into a new generation. As evidenced by glowing reviews of her live and recorded performances, this determination has served her well, giving birth to a strikingly original voice with an all-embracing style.
Ms. Rosewoman's musical growth and professional career began in Oakland, California where she started playing piano at age six, and studied jazz traditions with the great pianist/organist Edwin Kelly. In her late teens she began playing percussion and studying African-based drum and vocal traditions, specifically Cuban and Haitian folkloric styles. Her experience as a percussionist continues to shape many aspects of her musicality, as composer, performer and bandleader.
Before moving to New York in 1978, Michele Rosewoman performed at major venues in the Bay Area with musicians such as Julian Priester, Julius Hemphill, Baikida Carroll and Oliver Lake, as well as with her own ensembles. In New York she formed new ensembles and continued to present her original music as she nurtured associations with notable New York-based jazz artists and went on to perform with Gary Bartz, Jimmy Heath, Rufus Reid, Reggie Workman, Freddie Waits, James Spaulding, John Stubblefield, Billy Hart, Howard Johnson and Carlos Ward, among others. In 1981 she began to perform with Cuban dance bands and also to study and work with the Cuban master drummer/vocalist, Orlando "Puntilla" Rios. Ms. Rosewoman performed with his group Nueva Generacion, as well as with Celia Cruz, Paquito D'Rivera, Daniel Ponce, Chocolate, Nicky Marrero and Roberto Borrell, among others.
Her life-long immersion in both traditions inevitably led Michele Rosewoman to form an ensemble with a unique synthesis of contemporary jazz and traditional religious Cuban folkloric music. In 1983 Rosewoman received a National Endowment for the Arts grant for the formation of New Yor-Uba, A Musical Celebration of Cuba in America, a 14-piece ensemble conceived to perform her original compositions and arrangements of traditional Yoruban (Nigeria) and Arara (Dahomey) chants in a contemporary jazz setting. With the support of the 1983 NEA grant, New Yor-Uba made its debut before a standing-room-only crowd at New York's Public Theater. Drummer/vocalist Orlando "Puntilla" Rios, a master of the various Cuban musical forms, has been both her mentor and a member of this ensemble since its inception, providing Rosewoman with a valuable organic source as she creates the group's repertoire.
1984 brought great opportunity and success including a New Yor-Uba tour with appearances at festivals throughout Europe and the release of her first recording as pianist/arranger/musical director for the Cuban songo group, Los Kimy. She was also awarded an ASCAP/Meet the Composer Commission for Emerging Composers by a panel made up of jazz masters Dizzy Gillespie, Marian McPartland and Lester Bowie. This resulted in a new work, "The Heart of Answers", performed by the 40-piece Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra and a quintet of improvisers, including Rufus Reid, Howard Johnson and Greg Osby, with performances at Cooper Union Great Hall in New York City and the Paramount Center for the Arts in Peekskill, New York. Also in 1984, her debut recording as a leader, THE SOURCE (Soul Note) was released and received critical praise for its radiance and ingenuity. In a review published by DownBeat, Rosewoman's direction was likened to that of master innovator Charles Mingus. With her maiden voyage on record, she had distinguished herself as both a talented player and a composer of unique vision ...
Much like the most celebrated icons of jazz past, pianist/composer Michele Rosewoman is fiercely determined to use her knowledge of and respect for the genre's tradition to carry it into a new generation. As evidenced by glowing reviews of her live and recorded performances, this determination has served her well, giving birth to a strikingly original voice with an all-embracing style.
Ms. Rosewoman's musical growth and professional career began in Oakland, California where she started playing piano at age six, and studied jazz traditions with the great pianist/organist Edwin Kelly. In her late teens she began playing percussion and studying African-based drum and vocal traditions, specifically Cuban and Haitian folkloric styles. Her experience as a percussionist continues to shape many aspects of her musicality, as composer, performer and bandleader.
Before moving to New York in 1978, Michele Rosewoman performed at major venues in the Bay Area with musicians such as Julian Priester, Julius Hemphill, Baikida Carroll and Oliver Lake, as well as with her own ensembles. In New York she formed new ensembles and continued to present her original music as she nurtured associations with notable New York-based jazz artists and went on to perform with Gary Bartz, Jimmy Heath, Rufus Reid, Reggie Workman, Freddie Waits, James Spaulding, John Stubblefield, Billy Hart, Howard Johnson and Carlos Ward, among others. In 1981 she began to perform with Cuban dance bands and also to study and work with the Cuban master drummer/vocalist, Orlando "Puntilla" Rios. Ms. Rosewoman performed with his group Nueva Generacion, as well as with Celia Cruz, Paquito D'Rivera, Daniel Ponce, Chocolate, Nicky Marrero and Roberto Borrell, among others.
Her life-long immersion in both traditions inevitably led Michele Rosewoman to form an ensemble with a unique synthesis of contemporary jazz and traditional religious Cuban folkloric music. In 1983 Rosewoman received a National Endowment for the Arts grant for the formation of New Yor-Uba, A Musical Celebration of Cuba in America, a 14-piece ensemble conceived to perform her original compositions and arrangements of traditional Yoruban (Nigeria) and Arara (Dahomey) chants in a contemporary jazz setting. With the support of the 1983 NEA grant, New Yor-Uba made its debut before a standing-room-only crowd at New York's Public Theater. Drummer/vocalist Orlando "Puntilla" Rios, a master of the various Cuban musical forms, has been both her mentor and a member of this ensemble since its inception, providing Rosewoman with a valuable organic source as she creates the group's repertoire.
1984 brought great opportunity and success including a New Yor-Uba tour with appearances at festivals throughout Europe and the release of her first recording as pianist/arranger/musical director for the Cuban songo group, Los Kimy. She was also awarded an ASCAP/Meet the Composer Commission for Emerging Composers by a panel made up of jazz masters Dizzy Gillespie, Marian McPartland and Lester Bowie. This resulted in a new work, "The Heart of Answers", performed by the 40-piece Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra and a quintet of improvisers, including Rufus Reid, Howard Johnson and Greg Osby, with performances at Cooper Union Great Hall in New York City and the Paramount Center for the Arts in Peekskill, New York. Also in 1984, her debut recording as a leader, THE SOURCE (Soul Note) was released and received critical praise for its radiance and ingenuity. In a review published by DownBeat, Rosewoman's direction was likened to that of master innovator Charles Mingus. With her maiden voyage on record, she had distinguished herself as both a talented player and a composer of unique vision ...
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4. don grolnick
A tribute to Don Grolnick website features biograpy, recordings, photo gallery,quotes, etc ...
Jazz, Don Grolnick once said with sly understatement, is an art "in which the risks are great, the rewards subtle."
But it was always his truest passion. As a youth growing up in Levittown, New York, Don became captivated by the sound of jazz. He once told an interviewer, "My father took me to see Count Basie, and I just went crazy. I didn't know why or what it was, it was just swinging so hard -- and I didn't even know what swinging meant." His first instrument was the accordion, although he soon switched to his grandparents’ piano.
The young musician began to immerse himself in the sounds of blues, bebop, and post-bop. He absorbed the music of Erroll Garner, Cannonball Adderly, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Ray Charles, Sonny Rollins, Bobby Timmons, Wynton Kelly, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, and Horace Silver, to name just a few. While still a teenager, Don began to write songs and arrangements.
on went on to attend Tufts University, majoring in philosophy. Sometime during his college years, he met up with saxophonist Michael Brecker. After Don returned to New York in 1969, Brecker asked him to join the seminal jazz fusion band Dreams. Around this time, Don also began to explore mainstream pop and funk music. As was his custom, Don threw himself into the genre, listening hard to find out what really made the music move. And indeed, he developed a pop and R&B touch so skillful and authentic that it misled some listeners (and perhaps a few critics) into seeing Don as an arriviste when he later returned to his jazz roots ...
Jazz, Don Grolnick once said with sly understatement, is an art "in which the risks are great, the rewards subtle."
But it was always his truest passion. As a youth growing up in Levittown, New York, Don became captivated by the sound of jazz. He once told an interviewer, "My father took me to see Count Basie, and I just went crazy. I didn't know why or what it was, it was just swinging so hard -- and I didn't even know what swinging meant." His first instrument was the accordion, although he soon switched to his grandparents’ piano.
The young musician began to immerse himself in the sounds of blues, bebop, and post-bop. He absorbed the music of Erroll Garner, Cannonball Adderly, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Ray Charles, Sonny Rollins, Bobby Timmons, Wynton Kelly, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, and Horace Silver, to name just a few. While still a teenager, Don began to write songs and arrangements.
on went on to attend Tufts University, majoring in philosophy. Sometime during his college years, he met up with saxophonist Michael Brecker. After Don returned to New York in 1969, Brecker asked him to join the seminal jazz fusion band Dreams. Around this time, Don also began to explore mainstream pop and funk music. As was his custom, Don threw himself into the genre, listening hard to find out what really made the music move. And indeed, he developed a pop and R&B touch so skillful and authentic that it misled some listeners (and perhaps a few critics) into seeing Don as an arriviste when he later returned to his jazz roots ...
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Pianist Greg McKenzie's website features reviews, sound bites, itinerary, biography, cds for sale.
Greg McKenzie encompasses a unique blend of intelligence, creativity, commitment and leadership. These qualities have generated worldwide recognition as an international pianist and director. His ability to assemble and conduct international shows and concerts have been an admiring achievement since graduating from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music.
He has embraced the music industry for more than three decades and now anticipating a "new revolution" toward classic jazz music and composition. "The way we listen, dance, record, and purchase music has dramatically changed over the years. It is essential encouraging our audiences to further support live entertainment preserving an American art form and protecting our copyright laws."
Also, a jazz educator for two decades his performances have been worldwide enjoying extended performances in Japan, performing and recording with many refined musicians including, saxophonist Sadao Watanabe. Their friendship has inspired McKenzie to record his third trio CD that will include many original compositions and arrangements. Remembering one of the most loved jazz singers Rosemary Clooney once said, "It is the quintessential New York experience to be there looking out at the skyline and listening to the music that Greg McKenzie plays - sophisticated, informed, moving, I say, 'Top of the Heap.' "
McKenzie has enjoyed the success of being music director for numerous International luxury hotels, and knows that originality and dedication is part of the hospitality industry. "We set the standards how the world interprets fine art and good music" ...
Greg McKenzie encompasses a unique blend of intelligence, creativity, commitment and leadership. These qualities have generated worldwide recognition as an international pianist and director. His ability to assemble and conduct international shows and concerts have been an admiring achievement since graduating from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music.
He has embraced the music industry for more than three decades and now anticipating a "new revolution" toward classic jazz music and composition. "The way we listen, dance, record, and purchase music has dramatically changed over the years. It is essential encouraging our audiences to further support live entertainment preserving an American art form and protecting our copyright laws."
Also, a jazz educator for two decades his performances have been worldwide enjoying extended performances in Japan, performing and recording with many refined musicians including, saxophonist Sadao Watanabe. Their friendship has inspired McKenzie to record his third trio CD that will include many original compositions and arrangements. Remembering one of the most loved jazz singers Rosemary Clooney once said, "It is the quintessential New York experience to be there looking out at the skyline and listening to the music that Greg McKenzie plays - sophisticated, informed, moving, I say, 'Top of the Heap.' "
McKenzie has enjoyed the success of being music director for numerous International luxury hotels, and knows that originality and dedication is part of the hospitality industry. "We set the standards how the world interprets fine art and good music" ...
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