David Hazeltine is one of a handful of contemporary pianists who has mastered all of the major musical skills, from improvisation and technique, to accompaniment, arranging, and composition. Even more impressive, David is the rare artist able to innovate in each category. Thus it’s no surprise that he’s the most recorded contemporary jazz pianist of our time, having recorded thirty five cd’s as a leader and hundreds more as a sideman, on various major labels globally.
A Milwaukee native, David was playing the clubs as a preteen, and before he’d even come of age he was already grabbing the attention and respect of jazz legends like Sonny Stitt, and Chet Baker. They urged him to make the move to New York City, which he did in 1992.
Guitarist and composer Sam Kirmayer plays with “fearlessness and momentum” – Katie Malloch (CBC Jazz Beat & Tonic). One of CBC Music’s picks for the “35 Best Canadian Jazz Musicians Under 35”, his playing has been described as “sharp and clean melodic lines peppered with exquisite chording and comping… never overstated and always expressed with good taste”– C. Michael Bailey (All About Jazz).
He has released three recordings as a leader, Opening Statement (Chromatic Audio 2017), High and Low (Cellar Music, 2018) and In This Moment (Cellar Music, 2022).
Musicians:
David Hazeltine (piano)
Sam Kirmayer (guitar)
Ira Coleman (bass)
André White (drums)