Piano

Passing of Dave Brubeck leaves impact on many

Kevin Kniestedt — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 00:34:32 +0000

Jazz pianist Dave Brubeck, responsible for the recording of the seminal album Time Out which still ranks as one of the best selling albums of all-time, and the first jazz musician to have a single sell 1 millions albums, died this morning of heart failure. He was 91.

In 1951, he formed the Dave Brubeck Quartet, and made a regular habit of touring and and performing at college campuses, bringing his musical approach to a younger audience. In 1954, Brubeck became only the second musician at that time to appear on the cover of Time Magazine.

The career that Brubeck sustained had an enormous impact on musicians and fans.

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Jazz legend Dave Brubeck has died

Justin Steyer — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 17:01:33 +0000

Jazz icon Dave Brubeck has died this morning in a Connecticut hospital one day short of his 92nd birthday.

Long-time manager-producer-conductor Russell Gloyd told The Chicago Tribune that Brubeck died of heart failure en route to "a regular treatment with his cardiologist."

Brubeck attained pop-star status over the course of his long career with songs such as "Blue Rondo a la Turk" and "Take Five" (which easily secured the #1 spot on our Jazz 100 list).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1S_vA0ougg

Bela Fleck & Marcus Roberts Trio 'Crossing the Imaginary Divide'

Justin Steyer and Mary McCann — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 19:34:57 +0000

On a tour to promote their first collaboration, Crossing The Imaginary Divide, Bela Fleck and the Marcus Roberts Trio stopped by the KPLU Seattle studios for a live performance and interview, hosted by Mary McCann. If you’re looking for music that will lift your heart, this is the session for you!

Cyrus Chestnut: Solo piano with ‘The Nutman’

Abe Beeson and Justin Steyer — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 21:07:55 +0000

Pianist Cyrus Chestnut came onto the jazz scene slowly. From the mid-1980’s to mid-1990’s, he apprenticed as pianist for Jon Hendricks, Better Carter, Donald Harrison and Wynton Marsalis. Since then he has toured the world numerous times and recorded 15 albums as a leader.

Live in the KPLU Studios: A rare solo performance by Ramsey Lewis

Abe Beeson and Justin Steyer — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 22:49:46 +0000

Just in case you haven’t noticed, pianist Ramsey Lewis is having a great career.

He’s won Grammy awards, hosted successful television and radio jazz programs and even had cross-over hit records on the pop music charts (quite by accident, he assures us). He’s been playing professionally since about 1950 and has released more than 80 albums so far.

The Cookers: Bebop supergroup

Kevin Kniestedt and Justin Steyer — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 19:07:16 +0000

If we were to make a list of all the recording and composing credits of the members of The Cookers, it would go on for many pages.

This is an amazing collection of jazz musicians—Billy Hart (drums), Cecil McBee (bass), Eddie Henderson (trumpet), David Weiss (trumpet), Billy Harper (sax) and George Cables (piano).

Lynne Arriale: Pianist with that 'something extra'

Justin Steyer and Abe Beeson — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 20:19:28 +0000

http://youtu.be/ovlSyHIBEJw?hd=1

When pianist Lynne Arriale released her first CD in 1994, KPLU began playing music from it right away. It was clear to us that Lynne had that "something extra" that separates good musicians from great musicians.

Over the course of her career she’s continued to build on that quality, so we were especially pleased to finally welcome her as a guest artist in our Seattle performance studio.

Eliane Elias - Playing what comes naturally

KPLU — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:15:25 +0000

Brazilian-born, New York-based pianist/vocalist, Eliane Elias, has covered a lot of musical territory in her recording career. Some of her CD’s have been straight-ahead be-bop. Others have focused on Brazilian music. She has also very successfully transformed familiar pop tunes into fresh-sounding jazz.

In this interview, KPLU’s Nick Francis asks Eliane how she balances all these approaches to music.

Karrin Allyson: Looking for hope in heartbreak

Justin Steyer, Nick Morrison and Dick Stein — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 02:13:38 +0000

Relive last week’s studio session with vocalist/pianist, Karrin Allyson, who was joined by guitarist Rod Fleeman.

Kindred spirits: Taylor Eigsti & Becca Stevens

Justin Steyer, Abe Beeson and Nick Morrison — Thu, 19 May 2011 14:40:00 +0000

Pianist, Taylor Eigsti and vocalist/guitarist, Becca Stevens, stopped by the KPLU Seattle studios on May 16th to brighten an otherwise rainy Monday afternoon in the Pacific Northwest with an performance and interview, hosted by Evening Jazz host Abe Beeson.

Dianne Reeves on Piano Jazz

Grant Jackson — Wed, 18 May 2011 19:40:05 +0000

This Piano Jazz episode from 1999 features one of today's preeminent jazz singers.

Pianst Taylor Eigsti and vocalist Becca Stevens live today on KPLU

Justin Steyer — Fri, 13 May 2011 22:15:26 +0000

Two, young and talented musicians: pianist Taylor Eigsti and vocalist Becca Stevens, will be in the KPLU studios for a live interview and performance today at 12:15 p.m.

Stevens will join the Taylor Eigsti Quartet later tonight at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley for a 7:30 p.m. performance.

Benny Green — Remembering Monk … and Shearing

Justin Steyer, Abe Beeson and Nick Morrison — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:56:18 +0000

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-952742.mp3

When pianist Benny Green agreed to come to KPLU’s Seattle studios for a solo piano performance he was on tour with his band doing a tribute to the music of Thelonious Monk so it seemed logical to have his studio session consist of Monk compositions.

That was the plan, anyway ...

The Vijay Iyer Trio live at KPLU

Justin Steyer and Nick Morrison — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:21:22 +0000

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-951634.mp3

The Vijay Iyer Trio’s latest release, Historicity, won a number of "Album Of The Year" awards in 2010 and has been nominated for a 2011 Grammy as "Best Jazz Instrumental Album."

Pianist, Vijay Iyer, seems pleased by this recognition but not really fazed by it. In fact, during his trio’s visit to the KPLU performance studios on February 8, they only played one piece of music from Historicity—"Smoke Stack" by one of Iyer’s mentors, Andrew Hill.

Jacky Terrasson Trio's masterful live performance at KPLU

Justin Steyer and Nick Morrison — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 20:41:05 +0000

This studio session marks the first visit from pianist, Jacky Terrasson, to the KPLU/Jazz24 studios. We hope it’s the first of many.

In a stunning three-song set, Jacky left no doubt that his group is one of the most exciting piano trios in jazz today.

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kplu/local-kplu-946808.mp3