The Yocum Institute for Arts Education is celebrating the first anniversary of its monthly Jazz on the Avenue Series in grand fashion on Friday, May 15, at 7 p.m. in its Shumo Theater with the celebrated Eldar Djangirov Trio.
Djangirov, a Grammy Award-nominated pianist/composer, has been an undeniable force of pianism for the last 15 years since his major label debut at age 17 when he already was well known for his prodigious pyrotechnics and precocious knowledge of the bebop tradition.
The New York Times has described Djangirov as “a blend of musical intelligence, organizational savvy, enthusiasm and prowess that was all the more impressive for seeming so casual… an ebullient impressionist.”
JazzTimes has said of Djangirov: “Maybe he made a pact with Lucifer to be the greatest pianist ever.”
The legendary jazz pianist/composer Dave Brubeck praised Djangirov as “a genius beyond most young people I’ve heard.”
Downbeat magazine stated of Djangirov: “His command of his instrument is beyond staggering.”
His artistry has evolved on multiple fronts, judging by the first taste of his dynamic new trio album Rhapsodize that was released in February.
It features a track list that includes jazz standards like “A Night in Tunisia” as well as some original compositions.
“Anthemic” is one of those originals -- a forward-tilt tune that presses the piano and the entire rhythm team into contrapuntal overdrive. This is music of dazzling effect, especially during a piano solo that shoots into the stratosphere just after the two-minute mark.
On Rhapsodize, his 11th album, Djangirov can be reflective and introspective in one moment (“Airport” and “Willow Weep For Me”), utterly intense and fierce the next (“A Night In Tunisia”, “Anthemic” and “Burn”) or embody all of these characteristics simultaneously (the title track “Rhapsodize”).
Rhapsodize further solidifies Djangirov as one the most extraordinary musicians of his generation.
Djangirov and the piano are one, fully exploring at every turn, reveling in the joy of self-expression and discovery, and of creating with his nonpareil sidemen, bassist Raviv Markovitz and drummer Jimmy Macbride, in tandem and lockstep with their leader.
Markovitz’s musicality and hearty tone provide solid ground for the band to operate effortlessly while Macbride has a sophisticated understanding of the jazz tradition, demonstrating the art of providing exactly what is needed for the music along with many delightful surprises interwoven throughout. Individually they are impressive, as a trio they are no less than stirring.
The compositions and arrangements on Rhapsodize encapsulate and accentuate Djangirov’s astonishing facility and creativity, framed in the context of a 21st century piano trio.
He describes Rhapsodize as “music made with honest intent; the compositions and arrangements presented here are from my heart.”
In 2008, he was nominated for a Grammy for his album Re-imagination.
He has worked with such musical masters as Dr. Billy Taylor, Michael Brecker, Marian McPartland, Dave Brubeck, Wynton Marsalis, Joshua Redman, Chris Potter, Nicholas Payton, Harvey Mason, Chris Botti, Joe Locke, Ron Carter, Pat Martino and Roy Hargrove.
Djangirov has appeared at numerous major jazz festivals including the Tokyo Jazz Festival, Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, Java Jazz Festival, Vienna Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival and San Francisco Jazz Festival and performed with the NHK Symphony Orchestra, Russian National Orchestra and San Diego Symphony Orchestra.
He has performed at venues ranging from the Hollywood Bowl to Carnegie Hall and has played at the most notable jazz venues across the world. Djangirov has performed on national TV including the 2000 and 2008 Grammy Awards, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, CBS Saturday Early Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live.