John Blum | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 15, 1968 New York City, United States |
| Genres | Free jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Piano |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Website | johnblum.com |
John Blum (born April 15, 1968) is an American jazz pianist and composer.
Blum has performed and/or recorded with Antonio Grippi, Butch Morris, Charles Gayle, Chris Corsano, Cooper-Moore, Daniel Carter, Darius Jones, Denis Charles, Ed Schuller, Gerald Cleaver, Hamid Drake, Han Bennink, Jackson Krall, Jemeel Moondoc, Karen Borca, Marco Eneidi, Mat Maneri, Michael Wimberly, Peter Brotzman, Tony Scott, Tristan Honsinger, Raphe Malik, Roy Campbell, Jr., Ryan Sawyer, Sabir Mateen, Sunny Murray, Sonny Simmons, Sirone, Steve Swell, Susie Ibarra, Tony Buck, Warren Smith, Wilber Morris, and William Parker.
Biography
Blum is based in New York City, United States. He studied piano with Cecil Taylor and Borah Bergman, and music and composition with Milford Graves and Bill Dixon. Blum has a BS Degree in Biological Science from Bennington College and a MFA Degree in Jazz Composition and Performance.
His keyboard technique is something of a jazz hybrid of Cecil Taylor and McCoy Tyner, decidedly percussive but with relentlessly fast right-hand linear structure. Blum plays with such forcefulness and rapidity that he sounds like Conlon Nancarrow's player piano rolls, interpreted via human hands, freed up into a liquid state. [1] He is an underground legend [2] of the downtown music scene in New York, known for his explosive [3] high-voltage pianism, [4] and as a musician who aims for the very personal. [5]
In 2016, Blum continues to work as a soloist and group leader, performing throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, and Mexico. [6]
Discography
As leader
- Naked Mirror ( Drimala Records, 2002)
- Astrogeny ( Eremite Records, 2006)
- Who begat Eye (Konnex, 2009)
- In The Shade of Sun (Ecstatic Peace, 2009)
- Duplexity ( Relative Pitch Records, 2020)
As sideman
- Butch Morris Orchestra – Conduction 117 (Jump Arts Records, 2003)
- Sunny Murray – Perles Noires Volume 2 (Eremite, 2005)
- Steve Swell – Live at the Vision Festival (Not Two, 2007)
- Steve Swell – 5000 Poems (Not Two, 2009)
Selected reviews
- John Barrtett (jazzusa.com) – 2002
- Chris Kelsey (jazztimes.com) – 2005
- Clifford Allen (allaboutjazz.com) – 2006
- Derek Taylor (bagatellan.com) – 2006)
- David Keenan (volcanictongue.com) – 2006
- Howard Mandel (Downbeat Magazine) – 2008
- Bruce Gallanter (DMG) – 2009
- Tony Porter (Shakenstir) – 2009
- Tony Porter (Shakenstir) – 2009
- Tony Porter (Shakenstir) – 2009
- Massimo Ricci (Touching Extremes) – 2010
- Martin Longely (allaboutjazz.com) – 2010
- German Lazaro (Overlook Hotel) – 2011
References
- ^ "John Blum: In The Shade Of The Sun". Allaboutjazz.com. March 5, 2010. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ "Steve Swell's Slammin' The Infinite: 5000 Poems". Allaboutjazz.com. April 6, 2010. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
- ^ Chinen, Nate (June 19, 2006). "New York Times Music Review". The New York Times. Retrieved June 19, 2006.
- ^ "The Listings – August 25 – August 31 – Schedule –". The New York Times. August 25, 2006. Retrieved August 25, 2006.
- ^ "John Blum Naked Mirror Review". www.squidsear.com. Retrieved May 21, 2003.
- ^ "Blum, John – Jazz.com | Jazz Music – Jazz Artists – Jazz News". Jazz.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
External links
- John Blum Website [1]
- Interview: INSIDEJAZZ MAGAZINE (2010)
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