Encounter an imaginative setlist on the trio's sophomore Highnote label release headlined by veteran pianist Cyrus Chestnut, together with his long-time friends Buster Williams on bass and Lenny White on drums. Cyrus has a style clearly his own, one steeped in the gospel church traditions of his native Baltimore, but also enlivened by an open ear aimed at a multitude of other influences.
Cyrus Chestnut, one of the world's most celebrated jazz pianists, unveils new original compositions on his new release "Cyrus Chestnut Quartet", on WJ3 Records. This is the first time for Chestnut, who's released over a dozen albums since his recording debut in 1992, to lead his own quartet on CD. Produced by Todd Barkan (Kenny Burrell's Be Yourself Live at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, Freddie Hubbard's Above & Beyond), Cyrus Chestnut Quartet features Stacy Dillard on sax, Dezron Douglas on bass and Willie Jones III on drums. The collection is comprised of seven new original straight-ahead swinging tunes by Chestnut and "What's Happening" by Douglas. Tracks:1.) No Problem2.) Annibelle Cousins3.) Dream4.) What's Happening - by Dezron Douglas5.) Waltz for Gene and Carol6.) Solace7.) Indigo Blue8.) Mustard.
Cyrus Chestnut, one of this generation's most soulful Jazz pianists, releases "Soul Brother Cool". His new CD on WJ3 Records. Chestnut is joined by Willie Jones III (drums), Freddie Hendrix (trumpet) and Dezron Douglas (bass). "Soul Brother Cool" is comprised of all originals by Chestnut. Tracks include Soul Brother Cool, Dawn of the Sunset, Intimacy and Spicey Honey. Cyrus Chestnut will be touring Europe this summer with his Quartet in support of this new CD.
SOUL FOOD, the delicious new album from Cyrus Chestnut, might well be the acclaimed pianist's most succulent dish yet. From the gorgeous simplicity of his solo piano rendition of "Swing Low Sweet Chariot, " to the classic trio swing of "Fantasia, " the album is a lip-smacking musical buffet encompassing an array of flavors such as gospel, R&B, and good old fashioned jazz. Chestnut is accompanied by an equally tasty lineup of players, including bassist Christian McBride, dummer Lewis Nash, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, trumpeter Marcus Printup, vibraphonist Stefon Harris, alto saxophonist Gary Bartz, and labelmate James Carter on tenor sax. His seventh Atlantic release - and first collection of original material since 1998 - Cyrus Chestnut's SOUL FOOD is the ideal recipe for a homecooked musical feast.
After working with high-calibre artists like Wynton Marsalis, Cyrus Chestnut has released his third album. The jazz pianist touches upon hymn, Jelly-Roll Morton bebop, slow blues and early jazz gumbo. Considering the fact that Cyrus holds the record at Gavin for the most jazz radio adds in 1 week, radio should definitely respond to tracks like "Cooldaddy's Perspective," "Whoopie," Grandma's Blues" and "My Song in the Night." [Note: This product is an authorized CD-R and is manufactured on demand].
Jazz pianist par excellence, Cyrus Chestnut, returns to the HighNote catalog with a superb new piano quartet recording. This highly anticipated album showcases Chestnut's rhythmic precision, emotive touch, and improvisational flair complemented by an ensemble that provides both subtlety and drive. The combination of Chestnut's expressive piano playing with the string bass of Gerald Cannon and the propulsive beats of Chris Beck creates a sound that provides a luxurious background of vibrant color for the saxophone of Stacy Dillard. Chestnut's previous recordings on HighNote Records, including Kaleidoscope, and My Father's Hands, were met with widespread critical acclaim. JazzTimes lauded his "virtuosic piano playing," while Down Beat declared him "one of the finest jazz pianists of his generation." This new recording is sure to add to that legacy, as Chestnut and his colleagues offer an imaginative set list comprised mostly of the leader's original works, spotlighting his distinctive compositional voice. It is required listening for anyone who appreciates the extraordinarily communicative depth of jazz piano ensembles.
Nkeiru Okoye's When the Caged Bird Sings is a 'musical celebration' whose compositional voice, though rooted in the African American church, also embraces minimalism and improvisational elements. Delivering a message of adversity turned to triumph, it celebrates the transformative ability of African American women, partly evoking the experiences of the author and activist Maya Angelou. The work functions as a communal ritual that, like oratorio, opera, and theatre, brings together vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra in an experience that both commemorates and celebrates hope and possibility.
There have been a number of famous jazz artists whose offspring have followed their father's footsteps into music. Think only of Ellis Marsalis and his sons, Dewey and Joshua Redman, Papa John and Joey DeFrancesco, Bucky and John Pizzarelli, Walter and Nicholas Payton and Harry Connick Senior & Junior. But for every famous father in jazz there are an unknowable number of fathers who inspired and nurtured their progeny's talent from the sidelines and encouraged them to go into music and pursue their dreams. Such a man was McDonald Chestnut whose internationally renowned son, pianist Cyrus Chestnut, remembers his dad with this touching memorial, My Father's Hands. By carefully choosing a wide range of repertoire - including originals, standards and jazz classics - and with the great bassist Peter Washington and the legendary Lewis Nash on drums, Cyrus has crafted not just an intensely personal reminiscence but a truly beautiful jazz album in all respects. The material is strong, the sequencing uniquely satisfying and the performances display a unity of conception and execution that can only be called remarkable. Top it off with the exceptional recording quality and you have not only another fabulous jazz record, but a lasting and moving tribute to a father from his son.
