Stars Celebrate 30 Years Of Piano Jazz

Opening this set is pianist Taylor Eigsti. He credits Piano Jazz host Marian McPartland as "a true inspiration" before beginning his modern rendition of "Stompin' at the Savoy," which yields passages both deft and delicate. Cyrus Chestnut's style is deeply rooted in both the blues and in church music, as you can hear when he interprets "Blame It on My Youth" as a slow blues, beginning with an out-of-key quote of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."


Cedar Walton follows with a favorite recorded by McPartland on more than one occasion, Billy Strayhorn's "Daydream." Pianist and singer Dena DeRose croons "East of the Sun and West of the Moon" before Kenny Werner takes a page from Broadway with an extensive improvisation of "Somewhere" from West Side Story. Next, 18-year-old saxophonist Grace Kelly and McPartland take the stage for a dazzling duet of "Caravan." Kelly's surprisingly soulful alto offers further proof of why this talented young musician is praised by the alto masters Phil Woods and Lee Konitz. McPartland then accompanies vocalist Karrin Allyson in the melancholy "There Will Be Other Times," a McPartland original with lyrics by Margaret Jones.

The Pizzarelli brothers — John (guitar, vocals) and Martin (bass) — are joined by pianist "Gentleman" John Bunch for "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" before heading straight in to a jumping, scatting rendition of "Lady Be Good" to close out the set. Tune in next week for the third and final installment of this Piano Jazz celebration, featuring Arturo O'Farrill, Grady Tate, Joanne Brackeen, Randy Weston and more. You won't want to miss the final set of this special performance.
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