Ernest Turner, piano
Jeremy "Bean" Clemmons, drums
Butler Knowles, bass
Award-winning pianist Ernest Turner has made an indelible mark on the jazz world with his captivating live performances and unique, virtuosic range. A review of his latest album, My Americana (2019), praises his “eclectic approach to the piano where his playing can range from cutting-edge current to old school funky and down-home soulful” (Jazz Music Archives).
The North Carolina native’s musical training began at age four with piano lessons from his mother, which sparked a lifelong commitment to the art of jazz. As an experienced instrumentalist, composer, bandleader, and educator, Turner continues to expand his vision as a musical collaborator while, in his words, “searching for the ever-elusive musical truth.”...
read more
Ernest Turner, piano
Jeremy "Bean" Clemmons, drums
Butler Knowles, bass
Award-winning pianist Ernest Turner has made an indelible mark on the jazz world with his captivating live performances and unique, virtuosic range. A review of his latest album, My Americana (2019), praises his “eclectic approach to the piano where his playing can range from cutting-edge current to old school funky and down-home soulful” (Jazz Music Archives).
The North Carolina native’s musical training began at age four with piano lessons from his mother, which sparked a lifelong commitment to the art of jazz. As an experienced instrumentalist, composer, bandleader, and educator, Turner continues to expand his vision as a musical collaborator while, in his words, “searching for the ever-elusive musical truth.”
Receiving most of his formal musical training in New Orleans, Turner earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies from Loyola University and a Master of Music in Jazz Performance from the University of New Orleans. While in New Orleans, Turner worked closely with New Orleans luminaries such as Adonis Rose, Jason Marsalis, and Brice Winston. During this time, he was also a member of the Delfeayo Marsalis Quintet and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. These experiences in his early career would shape his musical direction and lasting connection to the city’s rich musical history. Relocating back to North Carolina in 2010, Turner has been a staple of the Triangle jazz scene over the past decade, maintaining a rigorous performance schedule and an active role as a jazz educator. He has toured and played with a number of acclaimed artists, including Steve Wilson, John Ellis, Frank Foster, Neal Caine, Jeremy Davenport, Branford and Jason Marsalis, the Heath Brothers, Ron Blake, the late Paul Jeffrey, Nneena Feelon, Eve Cornelious, Christian Scott, Vincent Gardner, Ron Westray, and others. Recent performances include a guest artist
appearance at the Lumina Festival of the Arts and performances in “Monk@100”—a ten-day event presented by Duke University in celebrating the 100-year anniversary of Thelonious Monk’s birthday, with accompanying performances by Joshua Redman, Jason Moran, Chris Potter, Gerald Clayton, Ethan Iverson, and Orrin Evans. Turner has continually maintained nationwide recognition in jazz performance throughout his professional career. Most recently, the Ernest Turner Trio won the 2019 DCJazzPrix competition in Washington D.C. Turner also placed second as a piano soloist in the 2019 Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition.
Turner's debut studio album, My Americana (2019), takes listeners on a journey into his perspective on jazz history and its lasting influence on American culture. Showing a proclivity towards thoughtful innovation within the tradition of black musicality, My Americana includes original compositions alongside works by Duke Ellington, Stevie Wonder, and Fats Waller, among other black composers. Traversing the boundaries between jazz and pop music, the album is Turner’s self-professed “ode to black American music.” Music journalist Jim Hynes commented My Americana “ristles with high energy...his music is exciting, soul-stirring, and highly recommended” (Making a Scene!). Turner’s original composition “Return of Thanos” from the album was recently featured by Spotify’s “State of Jazz” playlist as well as in Jazziz Magazine. Turner was also recently featured on NPR’s “The State of Things” in conversation with Frank Stasio on My Americana in March 2019.
$20 advance /$23 door/$10 full time student with ID show less
