Eldar, photo by Daniel Sheehan

Child prodigies don't always live up to their early promise. Pianist Eldar Djangirov (known simply as Eldar), on the other hand, has only soared higher and higher. A decade since catching the attention of Dr. Billy Taylor as an 11-year-old whizkid, Eldar is a veteran touring artist with his fourth major-label release, Virtue. With his trio, Eldar will perform at Catalina's in Los Angeles, October 29-November 1.

Kyrgyzstan prodigy Eldar Djangirov took an interest in the piano at age three, began serious studies while still in elementary school, catching the ear of Dr. Billy Taylor at 11. After appearing with Taylor on CBS Sunday Morning, Eldar and his family relocated to Kansas City where he could pursue his interest in jazz through studies with local musicians and at Interlochen. Still in his early teens, he went on to win top prizes at the 2001 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and the 2002 Peter Nero Piano Competition; in 2004 he appeared on Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz, her youngest guest ever (at the time). 

Pianist Benny Green noted, "Eldar's talent is undeniable; he possesses remarkable ease in his technical fluency, coupled with a free-flowing sense of harmonic coloration." Comparisons with jazz greats abound, as Eldar seemingly channels the touch of Bill Evans, the power and swing of Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson, the magnificent harmonics of McCoy Tyner, and the invention of Herbie Hancock with “vigor, stylistic range and dazzling speed” (New York Times).  After hearing Eldar, the late jazz great Benny Carter said, "He's one of the most outstanding artists I've heard in a long, long time."  

Eldar Trio

And now Eldar (who recently completed advanced studies at the Thornton School of Music at USC) releases what is arguably (don’t argue with this writer!) his most mature set, Virtue. With his working trio of bassist Armando Gola and Ludwig Afonso, Virtue features mostly original compositions by Eldar and guest appearances by trumpeter Nicholas Payton and saxophonists Joshua Redman and Felipe Lamoglia. Notes the 22-year-old leader, "I'm so proud of this album, more so than any I've done so far. In many ways, you could think of it as a soundtrack to my direct experiences since I've moved to New York City." [See Jazz Police review of Virtue] 

Eldar and his trio will perform two sets each night at Catalina's, 8 and 10 pm Thursday-Saturday; 7:30 and 9:30 pm on Sunday. 

Catalina's is located at 6725 W. Sunset Blvd in LA; www.catalinajazzclub.com

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