BRATTLEBORO — Vermont Jazz Center artistic director Eugene Uman will present a lecture, “A Survey of the Jazz Piano,” at Brooks Memorial Library, Thursday, Oct. 6, beginning at 7 p.m. in the library's second floor meeting room.
This lecture will precede the performance of Kenny Barron and his trio, who will performing at the Latchis Theatre in Brattleboro on October 15.
The history of jazz piano is a fascinating parallel to the history of jazz itself.
From jazz's harbinger, Ragtime, to the Stride piano styles of Art Tatum; from the swinging approach of Teddy Wilson to the bebop styles of Bud Powell, Uman - a pianist - will examine the links that connect these seemingly disparate styles with the goal of understanding the unity of the piano's function throughout the music's history. He will enhance his talk with videos, music samples, and discussion.
The function of the piano in jazz often serves as one of the key elements that define each style. Uman will examine the development of jazz piano throughout the history of jazz using recordings, videos and anecdotes. He will describe the piano's function inherent in each style and will demonstrate how jazz piano has moved from Scott Joplin to Cecil Taylor, from Ragtime to the avant-garde, in an uninterrupted line.
Barron concert
After more than four decades at the top of the jazz universe, playing with many of the greatest musicians to grace the genre, pianist Kenny Barron has developed a range of expression and versatility of style that very few can claim.
“Known for his exquisite lyricism and masterful subtlety, Barron plays as if he is performing personally for each individual listener,” the Jazz Center writes.
Barron broke into the jazz scene with Dizzy Gillespie's quartet in the 1960s, and he collaborated with Stan Getz in the 1980s on several groundbreaking albums.
As a bandleader, he has recorded more than 40 albums, landing atop countless critics' polls. He was inducted into the American Jazz Hall of Fame in 2005 and was recognized by the National Endowment of the Arts as a Jazz Master in 2010.
Uman's talk is sponsored by the Vermont Jazz Center and Brooks Memorial Library, with funding from the Vermont Arts Council. For more information, contact the library at 802-254-5290 or by email.