 "When you hear him play, it's as though there is a direct path from his heart to his hands." (Paul Winger, liner notes, And You've Been Waiting) One of the foremost piano talents on the Twin Cities jazz scene, Chris Lomheim and his trio will brighten the holidays on Wednesday night, December 22, at the Artists' Quarter. Chris Lomheim's first keyboard was the family organ, and as a child he studied both organ and piano in Minneapolis. He focused on R&B in the 1980s, playing with such bands as Big John Dickerson and Down Right Tight. Gaining a reputation as a composer as well as performer, he was featured at the West Bank School of Music Composer's Forum in 1991.
A member of the acclaimed Illicit Sextet in the 1990s, Lomheim has played and/or recorded with a long list of Twin Cities' musicians, including Gordy Johnson, Kelly Rossum, and vocalists Debbie Duncan, Christine Rosholt, Patty Peterson, Lucia Newell, and Vicky Mountain. He has also headlined at Chicago's Green Mill with trumpeter Rex Richardson, and was nominated as top pianist in the 1997 Minnesota Music Awards. Often compared to Bill Evans, Lomheim has made two acclaimed trio recordings, And You've Been Waiting? (1994, IGMOD) and The Bridge (2002, Artegra). Jeremy Walker (Brilliant Corners, Jazz Is Now) called Lomheim "the most sensitive and romantic player you will hear around the Twin Cities' scene. He has prodigious piano technique and an individual ear for harmony." Noted Paul Winger, "Chris' songs are accessible and feel familiar, yet they are neither simplistic nor trite."
Chris Lomheim's regular trio includes multi-talented bassist Gordy Johnson (featured on both Lomheim recordings) and sublime drummer Phil Hey (featured on The Bridge). A graduate of the Eastman School of Music (majoring in flute!) and a popular anchor of local rhythm sections, Gordy Johnson has also tuned up the pianos of many local clubs and concert halls. He has released two volumes of "Trios" featuring varying combinations of pianists and drummers, and will be releasing Volume 3 next month. A former student of Ed Blackwell, Phil Hey is one of the busiest drummers in town (he plays with everyone!) and teaches jazz drum at Macalester College. At Chris Lomheim's AQ gig this Wednesday night, "Expect nothing but musical poetry" (Tom Surowicz, KBEM Jazz 88). The Chris Lomheim Trio performs at the Artists Quarter on Wednesday, December 22nd, at 9 pm, $3 cover. The Artists Quarter is located downtown St. Paul in the lower level of the Hamm Building at 7th Place and St. Peter. For information, call (651) 292-1359 or online at www.mnjazz.com. Want to get away from the city for some New Year's Day jazz? Catch Chris Lomheim with vocalist Christine Rosholt in Bay City, WI at The Norton's Restaurant, W 7171 135th Avenue, Bay City; (715) 792-2464, 8:00 pm- 10:00 pm, http://thenortonsrestaurant.com. |
Friday, 21 November 2008
