Craig Taborn (Solo) at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel

Pianist, keyboardist, and composer, CRAIG TABORN toured and recorded with saxophonist James Carter when he was still in university, later playing with numerous other musicians in electronic and acoustic settings, while also building a reputation as a solo pianist. “On the strength of [his second recording,] Light Made Lighter,” the Los Angeles Times noted, “Taborn emerges as one of the most exciting pianists to lead a band since the ascent of Matthew Shipp.” In 2011 the DownBeat Magazine Critics Poll chose Craig as winner of the electric keyboard category, as well as rising star in both the piano and organ categories...

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Pianist, keyboardist, and composer, CRAIG TABORN toured and recorded with saxophonist James Carter when he was still in university, later playing with numerous other musicians in electronic and acoustic settings, while also building a reputation as a solo pianist. “On the strength of [his second recording,] Light Made Lighter,” the Los Angeles Times noted, “Taborn emerges as one of the most exciting pianists to lead a band since the ascent of Matthew Shipp.” In 2011 the DownBeat Magazine Critics Poll chose Craig as winner of the electric keyboard category, as well as rising star in both the piano and organ categories. In 2012, Craig received the North Sea Jazz Festival’s Paul Acket Award, which is given “to an artist deserving wider recognition for their extraordinary musicianship.” By the middle of 2013, he had released five albums under his own name and appeared on more than 70 as a sideman. In 2013 JazzTimes ranked Craig in their 2013 critics poll as best piano player, #2 on electric keyboard as well #2 on artist of the year; this year the Jazz Journalists Association honored him as “Pianist of the Year.” The 2014 DownBeat Critics Poll has ranked him in Piano, Keyboard, and Jazz Album for Chants with Thomas Morgan and Gerald Cleaver.

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