Our friends at KCSM (Jazz 91.1 on your FM radio dial), the Bay Area's best source for jazz radio, are hosting a "Bridge the Gap" benefit concert on Tuesday, June 30, in an effort to raise additional funds to cover their current budget and fund-raising shortfalls.
The benefit concert — at Yoshi's at Jack London Square in Oakland — brings together three generations of Bay Area jazz piano: Denny Zeitlin, Jon Jang, and Taylor Eigsti.
Chicago-born Denny Zeitlin has recorded over 30 critically acclaimed albums, and twice won first place in the Down Beat International Jazz Critics Poll. A working psychiatrist in San Francisco, Zeitlin has been hailed as "the jazz world’s most visible Renaissance man" by the Los Angeles Times.
For over two decades, Jon Jang has developed his own musical language based on a concept he calls paper son (paper songs), which embraces his concept of "Americanizing" Chinese folk music. He has recorded with Max Roach, James Newton, Anthony Brown's Orchestra and David Murray, along with his own ensembles.
And young pianist Taylor Eigsti, now 24, represents the youngest generation of professional jazz musicians. At 12, Eigsti shared the stage with Diane Schuur and opened for Diana Krall and Al Jarreau. When he was 13, he sat in with Dave Brubeck, who remarked, "Taylor is the most amazing talent I've come across. Remember him."
Tickets for the benefit are $50, and showtimes are 8 and 10 pm. For tickets or more info, please visit the Yoshi's website.
(On a related note, we'll be sending photographer Ronald Davis out to cover the concert, so be sure to check back in early July for photos from this benefit show.)
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