Jazz people all know that Vladimir Horowitz loved the jazz pianist Art Tatum. The biggest name in classical piano today, Yuja Wang, plays Tatum’s arrangement of “Tea for Two” as an encore. Not all of the greatest jazz pianists were classically trained, but many were: Bill Evans, Teddy Wilson, Herbie Hancock, and EllisRead more
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THE PETER SCHWENDENER QUARTET AT PRAIRIE MOON On October 11, my quartet with Dan Delorenzo (bass), Art Davis (trumpet) and Phil Gratteau (drums) will appear at Prairie Moon Restaurant in Evanston as part of their Wednesday Night Jazz Series. The address in Evanston is 1635 Chicago Ave., and we play from 9-11 PM. It isRead more
Chicago pianist Peter Schwendener has a fine quintet outing on “Kickstand” (Proteus), mostly of cannily arranged standards. He sets the pace and the interpretive manner for the group, something that’s a secret of leadership involving a delicate balance between decreeing a boring sameness and allowing a scattergun result of headstrong sidemen expressing themselves. His styleRead more
Lyricism is the pervasive theme on pianist Peter Schwendener’s Kickstand, a record inspired by his musical heroes. For this, he has assembled a quintet that includes trumpeter Art Davis whose Clifford Brown influenced style sways to the playful rhythms of “Shall We Dance.” The standard also features an adventurous and advanced piano improvisation that surprisinglyRead more
Jazz pianist Peter Schwendener has just released his new 10-tune CD, “Kickstand.” On it are seven classics, two pieces written by Mr. Schwendener himself (“Kickstand” and “Trundletown”) and an instrumental version of the Randy Newman tune “I Think It’s Gonna Rain Today.” Mr. Schwendener has been part of the Chicago jazz scene since 1979. HeRead more