At this celebration of solo piano in the jazz tradition, a collaborative spirit imbues the presentations of four distinguished headliners and two emerging artists. The Festival includes performances, master-classes, a Q+A session plus interviews with the artists.
2024 headliners include Aaron Parks, Alfredo Rodriguez, Hey Rim Jeon, and Jacky Terrasson. Emerging Artists are Yujin Han (Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, Global Jazz Institute) and Matthew Mueller (Amherst College).
The Solo Jazz Piano Festival is one of the cornerstones of the VJC’s annual programming. Now in its 8th year, this festival has presented 48 pianists, including some of the world’s top artists. Our objective is to illustrate how the piano is used as a vehicle to indicate the diversity of the jazz language, the unique impact (emotionally and technically) of each performer, and the instrument’s vast capabilities to demonstrate stylistic and historic breadth.
Headliner artists will each offer a 50-minute solo piano set and a masterclass, open to pianists and music lovers alike (no experience required). Each emerging artist will offer a 25-minute set. All pianists will participate in a Q and A panel-session where questions will be accepted from the audience.
The VJC is grateful to Mike McKenzie for his gift of the VJC’s Steinway Concert Grand (D). This tremendous instrument was inaugurated by Fred Hersch in 2016 and was once owned by the classical concert pianist Lorin Hollander, who in 1964 was called “the leading pianist of his generation” by the New York Times. It is maintained by Bill Ballard who donates his skillful mastery to the VJC.
Past performers of the VJC Solo Jazz Piano Festival include NEA Jazz Masters Toshiko Akiyoshi and Joanne Brackeen; jazz legends Stanley Cowell, Luis Perdomo, Helen Sung, Kirk Lightsey, Benny Green, Orrin Evans and George Cables; emerging artists have included Christian Sands, Julius Rodriguez, Myra Melford, Sullivan Fortner, Miro Sprague, Franz Robert, Kris Adams and Craig Taborn. Renowned piano-educators David Berkman and Kenny Werner have also been presented.
The solo jazz piano festival is for all music lovers, not just pianists and other musicians. Anyone interested in both the practical and spiritual aspects of jazz and improvised music will be delighted by the offerings.
Tickets
