- Pianist Cedar Walton Perfoms at Calgary Jazz Fest - Photo by exquisitur
Praised and respected by jazz musicians and audiences around the world, 76-year old jazz pianist Cedar Walton kicks off the 2010 Calgary Jazz Festival. He has collaborated with numerous jazz greats throughout his 25-plus year career, including John Coltrane.
Cedar Walton's Career
Cedar Walton first studied piano with his mother before continuing his education at the University of Denver. His career took off at an after-hours gig at the Denver Club, where he met jazz greats John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker.
Cedar Walton moved to New York in 1955. There, he worked with Kenny Dorham, J.J. Johnson, Sonny Rollins and many other leading artists.
Cedar Walton was part of the Art Farmer/Benny Golson Jazztet for two years. For three years, Cedar Walton was part of the jazz combo, Art Blakely and the Jazz Messengers.
In the 1960's and 1970's, Cedar Walton worked with Bob Berg, Louis Hayes, Billy Higgins, Sam Jones and others. In the 1980's, Cedar Walton formed a trio with bassist Ron Carter and drummer Billy Higgins. He also was a part of the Timeless All-stars and The Trumpit Summit Band.
Walton's greatest musical influences are Thelonious Monk, Art Tatum, Bud Powell. He is viewed as a versatile jazz pianist and one of the top hard bop pianists in contemporary jazz.
Several of Cedar Walton's compositions, such as Bolivia and Firm Roots are considered standard jazz repertoire. He has recorded for the Discovery, Red Baron, Steeple Chase and Timeless record labels.
In 2010, Cedar Walton was awarded the NEA Jazz Master Award, the highest honor in American jazz music. He shares this honor with Muhal Richard Abrams, George Avakian, Kenny Barron, Bill Holman, Bobby Hutcherson, Yusef Lateef and Annie Ross.
The Calgary Jazz Festival
The Calgary Jazz Festival began in 1979 as a one-day event featuring local musicians. Now, it is a week-long event that attracts jazz musicians and enthusiasts from around the world. Previous guests include Branford Marsalis and Jimmy Cobb. The 2010 Calgary Jazz Festival features over 200 musicians at over 70 performances.
The Calgary Jazz Festival holds events at various locations in Calgary, Alberta throughout this seven-day musical celebration, including the EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts, the Beatnig Jazz & Social Club, The Palomino, The Auburn Saloon and the Cantos Music Foundation. Events that are free to the public take place along Stephen Avenue Walk and at the Olympic Plaza.
The Calgary Jazz Festival is organized by C-Jazz - Calgary Jazz Association. C-Jazz strives to "strengthen, support and promote jazz in Calgary". C-Jazz presents and promotes events throughout the year, not just during the Calgary Jazz Festival.
Jazz pianist Cedar Walton will perform at the Martha Cohen Theatre in The EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts on June, 21, 2010 at 8:00 pm. Tickets are available on the Calgary Jazz Festival website.
June 20, 2010 Update: 2010 Calgary Jazz Festival Canceled One Day Before Event
In a written release to the CBC, festival organizers announced that the 2010 Calgary Jazz Festival has been canceled due to financial constraints. This is the second time in the Festival's history that it has been canceled. Ticket and pass refund information will be released at a later date.
Rhona-Mae Arca - Rhona-Mae is a Registered Music Teacher. She has an ARCT in Piano Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music, B.A. (Music) and ...
