Noah Haidu, Buster Williams & Lenny White celebrate Keith Jarrett Standards
($25-$35 tickets | 7pm & 9pm) New York’s rising star pianist and Los Angeles native Noah Haidu joins forces with jazz icons Buster Williams and Lenny White in support of his joyful and expressive new album Standards (2023, Sunnyside Records). This recording and tour celebrates the 40th anniversary of Keith Jarrett’s great Standards Trio. In 2021 The Wall Street Journal described Haidu’s tribute as “Sounding buoyant and free like a pent-up spirit released.” (Larry Blumenfeld); while Downbeat Magazine called it “A stunning and heartfelt tribute.” (Alexa Peters)”
**Noah Haidu**
Pianist Noah Haidu has arrived as an important new voice in jazz who combines modernism, soul, and swing into his own unique approach. Recently the national media has focused on Noah as a force to be reckoned with: The Wall Street Journal singled out Haidu for a major write-up stating that “He has developed his own compelling brand of pianism…the eight tracks here form less a tribute than a reflection on the ways in which Mr. Jarrett’s approach to the piano, to a standard, to the communication within a trio—get absorbed and distilled by Mr. Haidu’s own trio with bassist Buster Williams and drummer Billy Hart, and on how pain gives way to joy.” (Larry Blumenfeld)
**Buster Williams**
Buster Williams is a prodigious artist whose playing knows no limits. He has played, recorded and collaborated with jazz giants such as Art Blakey, Betty Carter, Carmen McRae, Chet Baker, Chick Corea, Dexter Gordon, Jimmy Heath, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Gene Ammons, Sonny Stitt, Herbie Hancock, Larry Coryell, Lee Konitz, McCoy Tyner, Illinois Jacquet, Nancy Wilson, Elvin Jones, Miles Davis, the Jazz Crusaders, Ron Carter, Woody Shaw, Sarah Vaughan, Benny Golson, Mary Lou Williams, Hank Jones, Lee Morgan, Jimmy Rowles, Hampton Hawes, Cedar Walton, Bobby Hutcherson, Billy Taylor, Sonny Rollins, Count Basie, Errol Garner, Kenny Barron, Charlie Rouse, Dakota Staton, Kenny Dorham, and Freddie Hubbard, to name a few.
Mr. Williams has recorded soundtracks for movies including Les Choix des Armes; McKenna’s Gold with Gregory Peck; David Lynch’s, Twin Peaks, Fire Walk With Me”; Spike Lee’s Clockers, and many more. Awards include a Grammy in 1979; the Min-On Art Award; the SGI Glory Award, the SGI Cultural Award; the RCA Best Seller Award; NEA recipient; New York Fellowship Grant; 5 Stars from Downbeat magazine for the album Crystal Reflections, and his inclusion in Who’s Who in Black America.
**Lenny White**
Leonard “Lenny” White III is an American drummer who was a member of the band Return to Forever led by Chick Corea in the 1970s. White has been called “one of the founding fathers of jazz fusion”. He has won three Grammy awards, two nominations and one Latin Grammy.
Born in Queens, White started off his career playing with groups at the New York jazz scene. Early on he played clubs in Queens New York such as the Aphrodisiac, Slugs, and The Gold Lounge. It was at The Gold Lounge where he had his first gig with saxophonist Jackie McLean. During the late 1960s he began performing with Mclean around Queens. Through this, White was recommended to play on Miles Davis’ landmark 1969 LP Bitches Brew and was featured on Freddie Hubbard’s 1970 LP Red Clay. In 1972 White joined the jazz group Return to Forever.
In 1975 White released his debut solo album entitled ‘’Venusian Summer,’’ which featured guitarists Al DiMeola and fusion guitar pioneer, Larry Coryell. In addition to his solo projects White produced Chaka Khan’s 1982 LP Echoes of an Era. He remains one of the most well known and in-demand drummers on the international scene.