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Four Nights, Four Bands Celebrate Bud Powell at the Iridium, September 27-30 Print E-mail
Written by Andrea Canter, Contributing Editor   
Monday, 24 September 2007

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Cedar Walton at the Iridium, September 27th, photo by Jim Eigo
One of the most influential pianists in jazz, Earl Rudolph 'Bud' Powell (September 27, 1924 – July 31, 1966), along with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, was one of the founding fathers of bebop. Often called the “Charlie Parker of the piano,” Powell’s contributions as composer, pianist and bandleader will be celebrated this week at the Iridium through the interpretations of four master pianists and their ensembles, September 27-30.

September 27 (8 & 10 pm), Cedar Walton Trio. One of the famed alumni of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, Cedar Walton is one of the most acclaimed—and busy—pianists of his generation. He recorded and/or played with Keny Dorham, J.J. Johnson, the Art Farmer/Benny Golson Jazztet and John Coltrane (Giant Steps) in the late 50s and early 60s, joining the Jazz Messenger in 1961 with Wayne Shorter and Freddie Hubbard. In the mid to late 60s, he worked as Abbey Lincoln’s accompanist, recorded with Art Farmer, Hank Mobley, Pat Martino, Charles McPherson and Lee Morgan, and served as “house pianist” for Prestige Records. He also co-lead a bop quartet with saxmen Clifford Jordan, George Coleman, or Ralph Moore; bassists Sam Jones or David Williams, and drummer Billy Higgins, an ensemble that became Eastern Rebellion in 1975.

Also in the mid 70s, Walton rejoined Blakey for a tour of Japan and again recorded with Art Farmer. During the mid 70s, Walton also headed Mobius and Soundscapes, experimenting with electric piano and funk grooves. Over the past two decades, he has continued touring and recording with his trio, appearing on the Muse, Evidence, Steeplechase, Verve, and now High Note labels. His most recent release, One Flight Down (High Note, 2007), highlights not only his great hard bop chops but also Walton’s underappreciated legacy as a composer of tunes such as “One Flight Down” and “The Rubber Man.” Joining him in tribute to Bud Powell will be long-time bassist David Williams and master drummer Joe Farnsworth.

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Steve Kuhn©Robert Lewis
September 28 (8 & 10 pm), Steve Kuhn Trio. Brooklyn native Steve Kuhn developed his piano chops early and was playing professionally in his teens. After graduating from Harvard, Kuhn played with Ornette Coleman and Don Cherry at the Lenox School of Music where the faculty included Bill Evans, George Russell and Gunther Schuller. A stint with Kenny Dorham ended when Kuhn was asked to join John Coltrane’s quartet. Thereafter his resume grew, including work with Stan Getz and Art Farmer before relocating to Europe for four years. Back in the U.S., Kuhn began recording for ECM and formed a trio with Ron Carter and Al Foster. The Steve Kuhn Trio has undergone various personnel changes over the years, and for this gig, will feature Eddie Gomez on bass and Billy Drummond on drums.

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Vijay Iyer
September 29 (8 & 10 pm), Vijay Iyer Trio. After an evolutionary decade of composition and performance, pianist Vijay Iyer topped the 2006 Down Beat Critics Poll as both “Rising Star Jazz Artist” and “Rising Star Composer.” Dubbed “the most commanding pianist and composer to emerge in recent years” by the Village Voice, Iyer was a musical prodigy who began violin studies at three and taught himself to play the piano. To his unique jazz modernism he brings a background eclectic in both its cultural and musical influences. Listen to Iyer and you can hear the rhythms and harmonies of his Indian heritage as well as the formality of European classical tradition and the freedom of American rock; the shadow of his mentors—Steve Coleman, Roscoe Mitchell and George Lewis—is also ever-present. Today Iyer is performing and composing some of the most original music in 21st century jazz. Amiri Baraka described this 36-year-old wonder as “an oncoming phenomenon, already up to his fingers in the most advanced music of our wildly contradictory age...” Bassist Stephen Crump and young drummer Marcus Gilmore round out the trio.

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Rachel Z
September 30 (8 & 10 pm), Rachel Z Trio. Rachel Nicolazzo, known simply as Rachel Z, is an undeniably talented pianist/vocalist/composer whose chops shout Shorter and Hancock while her repertoire screams Sting and Stones. Growing up in Manhattan, she began voice lessons at age two, then classical piano at seven; she attended her first opera at age nine. “My first doll house was a Metropolitan Opera House,” she notes. But on hearing “Miles’ Smiles” at age 15, she began improvising against the grain of her classical repertoire and was soon playing in a band covering Joni Mitchell and Steely Dan. She further crossed the classical-to-jazz divide by listening to Herbie Hancock’s interpretations of Wayne Shorter, launching a quintet named Nardis, and studying with Joanne Brackeen and Richie Bierach. Studies at the New England Conservatory of Music and serving as music director for a tour with Wayne Shorter helped launch her eclectic career. Over the past decade, her efforts have encompassed interpretations of everyone from classic jazz giants to contemporary pop and rock stars, including recorded tributes to Wayne Shorter and Joni Mitchell. A global tour with Peter Gabriel (2002-2004) as well as five recordings have brought her into the international spotlight, but her current Department of Good and Evil band has truly ignited audiences around the globe. Her trio features Department collaborators, bassist Maeve Royce and drummer Bobby Rae. Expect a few surprise guests!

Tickets for each set of the Amazing Bud Powell Tribute at the Iridium are $30; call 212-582-2121 for reservations. The Iridium is located at 1650 Broadway at 51st Street; www.iridiumjazzclub.com
 
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