The Vermont Jazz Center’s ninth annual Solo Jazz Piano Festival (April 18-19) spotlights the development of piano styles and techniques throughout the evolution of jazz. During the weekend, a half dozen pianists will perform and discuss their musical aspirations and the expansion of their approaches to the instrument. Featured headliners include Luther Allison (not to be confused with the late blues guitarist), Sean Mason, Johnny O’Neal and Carmen Staaf, who will take the stage each night at 7:30 (Staaf and O’Neal on Friday, Mason and Allison on Saturday) for solo sets. Emerging artists Michael Carabello and Estefanía Núñez Villamandos will also perform.
Along with the evening concerts at the venue in Brattleboro, Saturday’s daytime educational and concert programming will begin at 10:00 a.m. on April 19. Each of the four headlining musicians will offer masterclasses, designed for the general public, that bring topics to life that are vital to their creative identity. Saturday will also include short sets from the two emerging artists as well as a round-table discussion with all six artists, moderated by VJC Director Eugene Uman.
Each of this year’s headliners is highly regarded by jazz lovers around the world. They are all virtuosic in their abilities and have released numerous recordings as leaders and side people. But what sets this group of four apart is how each artist conveys a completely distinct approach to the instrument, demonstrating an instantly recognizable stylistic, rhythmic, and harmonic palette.
For ticket and schedule information, visit vtjazz.org.
Photos, from left, Carmen Staaf, Johnny O’Neal, Sean Mason and Luther Allison
