Profile: Pianist, Kenny Barron
At age 71, Kenny Barron stands tall as one of the world's true jazz legends and one of our area's greatest contributions to the art form. He was born in Philadelphia, and for over 25 years, taught piano and keyboard harmony at Rutgers University. He now teaches at the Juilliard School of Music. Barron is one of the most profound improvisers in jazz music and his recent work has only become nuanced, economical, and insightful. Selected as an NEA Jazz Master in 2010 and a nine-time Grammy nominee, his prolific career has included extended associations with Stan Getz, Yusef Lateef, and Freddie Hubbard. Before that, he spent five years with Dizzy Gillespie. He has enhanced hundreds of recordings including over 40 albums (and still counting) as a leader. He will perform with longtime musical colleagues, Kiyoshi Kitagawa on bass and Johnathan Blake on drums, at Princeton's McCarter Theater on October 23rd.
Profile: Pianist/Jazz Educator Bill Charlap
Born in New York City, Bill Charlap comes from a musical background. His mother vocalist, Sandy Stewart, and his father was Broadway composer, Moose Charlap. Charlap has been a profound influence in piano jazz recording seven albums as a leader or co-leader for the Blue Note label, including two Grammy-nominated CDs: For the Japanese label Venus Records he has recorded two albums as a leader, as well as eight albums as a member of the New York Trio. In addition to his own recordings, Charlap has worked with jazz giants, Gerry Mulligan, Benny Carter, Tony Bennett, Phil Woods and Scott Hamilton, as well as the Phil Woods Quintet.
Charlap was recently appointed as the new director of the Jazz Studies Program at William Paterson University in Wayne, N.J. Founded in 1973, the program has been directed by trumpeter and composer/arranger Thad Jones, bassist Rufus Reid, pianist James Williams and, most recently, pianist Mulgrew Miller, who died in May 2013.
Destination: Jazz in Philadelphia
Explore the Philadelphia's reputation as a go-to destination for jazz. As the birthplace and hometown of some of the most notable figures in jazz history, including Billie Holiday, John Coltrane, Ethel Waters and Dizzie Gillespie, Philadelphia’s jazz roots run deep. Here are some great destinations to discover.
In the News: Tony Bennett & Bill Charlap: The Silver Lining
These jazz giants collaborated on a recording, The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. This recording continues the classic series of Tony Bennett album releases celebrating the essentials of the Great American Songbook and points us back to one of the 20th century's most important American composers of musical theater and popular music.
Playing alongside Tony Bennett and Bill Charlap on The Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern are pianist Renee Rosnes (on the piano duet pieces), Peter Washington (bass) and Kenny Washington (drums). Unrelated, though sharing the same last name, Peter and Kenny have been performing with Bill Charlap for nearly two decades and pianist Renee Rosnes has been Charlap's life partner for close to 10 years.
Both Bennett and Charlap will take part in NJPAC's fourth James Moody Jazz Festival in mid-November.
Destination NYC: Mezzrow
MEZZROW is a great listening room and lounge in the heart of the historic district of Greenwich Village located below street level at 163 West 10th Street. Mezzrow is a jazz piano room. Mezzrow, recently endorsed by the Steinway Piano Company, has a gorgeous new model "A" (6'3") that fuels some of the very best jazz pianists in New York City. The lounge presents a rare opportunity for adults to enjoy the relaxed social atmosphere of a club devoted to jazz and, in particular, the small ensemble. The music room provides a space for music lovers to share an intimate experience with the top-name jazz artists who are performing throughout the week. Owned and operated by the the people who own Smalls Jazz Club (just a short walk over at 183 West 10th Street), Mezzrow is a unique musical environment run by musicians for musicians. Tell them NJJazzList.com sent you.
Philadephia's JazzBridge
The Jazz Bridge Project non-profit not only helps Philadelphia area musicians during hard times, but also helps to further public awareness of great music by presenting neighborhood concert events. In October, a new season of concert/fund raisers kicks off at the Collingswood Community Center with a great lineup of performers from our area.
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