The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce that on Monday, January 6 at 7pm, Australian jazz pianist Matt Baker will perform “An Oscar Moment: A Celebration of the Life and Musicof Jazz Legend Oscar Peterson.”
The concert will showcase Baker’s interpretations of Peterson’s greatest work, celebrating his life, greatest hits, and some of his beautiful original works. The two met in 2002 at the Blue Note in NYC, which was the start of a friendship and mentorship that lasted until Peterson’s death in 2007. Jim Cammack will perform on bass, Jerome Jennings on drums, and Special Guest Vocalist will be Brianna Thomas....
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The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce that on Monday, January 6 at 7pm, Australian jazz pianist Matt Baker will perform “An Oscar Moment: A Celebration of the Life and Musicof Jazz Legend Oscar Peterson.”
The concert will showcase Baker’s interpretations of Peterson’s greatest work, celebrating his life, greatest hits, and some of his beautiful original works. The two met in 2002 at the Blue Note in NYC, which was the start of a friendship and mentorship that lasted until Peterson’s death in 2007. Jim Cammack will perform on bass, Jerome Jennings on drums, and Special Guest Vocalist will be Brianna Thomas.
Baker says, “Oscar Peterson was and remains one of the most influential and celebrated Jazz Pianists of the 20th Century. He touched many people with his music, but very few were fortunate enough to experience An Oscar Moment. This concert celebrates the music of the great man and touches on a moment that he shared with me, a moment that changed my life and shaped my musical career thereafter.”
Australian Jazz Pianist Matt Baker has performed at jazz festivals, clubs and concert halls in Australia, Europe,USA and the Pacific. As of 2010, he is proud to call New York City his home. Aside from performing as a solo artist, he is fast becoming one of the most sought-after accompanists, sidemen and Musical Directors on the New York scene.
Matt has played engagements at Birdland, Le Cirque, Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle Hotel, 54 Below, Smalls Jazz Club, The Zinc Bar, The Iridium, The Kitano, Tomi Jazz, The Garage, Somethin’ Jazz and Cleopatra’s Needle. He performs professionally with some of New York’s top musicians including Gregory Hutchinson, Hassan JJ Shakur, Marco Panascia, Jim Cammack, Jerome Jennings,Dayna Stephens, Tony Middleton, Christine Ebersole, Aaron Weinstein and The Artie Shaw Orchestra. Matt has also toured as Pianist and Musical Director formulti-platinum recording artist Patrizio Buanne.
In March 2011, Baker recorded a new album in New York entitled ‘Underground’featuring Gregory Hutchinson, Joe Sanders, Jeremy Pelt and Dayna Stephens. The album, which received positive reviews in Downbeat, Jazz Times and Jazz Wise UK, features a selection of brand new original work alongsidesome classic jazz standards, inspired from living the New York underground jazzscene: endless nights of clubs & jam sessions.
Matt Baker tied fifth place in the 2003 Montreux International Solo Jazz Pianocompetition and was a semi-finalist in 2004 and 2005. A student of Taylor Eigsti since moving to New York, Matt has also spent time watching piano legend Oscar Peterson perform, as well as studying with Mulgrew Miller, Benny Green,James Williams and Ella Fitzgerald’s life-long accompanist Paul Smith. He has performed privately for Quincy Jones and played in support of jazz legends Tony Bennett and Al Jarreau. Matt has now four albums as a leader.
“I am thrilled that you haveput together a tribute show! Also so happy that you want to play Oscar's music.” Kelly Peterson
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