David Hazeltine Explained

David Hazeltine
Landscape:yes
Birth Date:27 October 1958
Birth Place:Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Genre:Jazz
Occupation:Musician, composer, arranger, educator
Instrument:Piano
Years Active:1990s–present
Label:Sharp Nine, Chesky, Criss Cross, Venus, Smoke Sessions
Associated Acts:One for All, George Mraz, Louis Hayes, Peter Washington

David Perry Hazeltine (born October 27, 1958) is an American jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and educator.

Early life

Hazeltine was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on October 27, 1958.[1] He began studying the piano at the age of nine, and first performed professionally when he was thirteen. He attended the Wisconsin College Conservatory of Music from 1976 to 1979.

Later life and career

1980–1992

Hazeltine worked around Chicago, Minneapolis, and Milwaukee, and was the regular pianist for the Milwaukee Jazz Gallery. He obtained a BA from the University of Wisconsin in 1991. After performing with Chet Baker at the Milwaukee Jazz Gallery, the trumpeter suggested he should move to New York City, which he did in 1981. After two years, "domestic considerations prompted a return to his home town". He returned to the Wisconsin College Conservatory of Music, and was the chairman of the jazz department from 1985 to 1992. In 1992, he returned to New York.

1993–present

In New York, Hazeltine led a trio that included Peter Washington on bass and Louis Hayes on drums. He also worked with the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, Slide Hampton's big band, and the group One for All. His first solo album, Four Flights Up, appeared in 1995.[2]

He has spent time composing, but has stated that he does not find it easy. Although he is a pianist, he feels influenced more by saxophonists, particularly Charlie Parker.

Discography

As leader/co-leader

Year recordedTitleLabelPersonnel/Notes
19954 Flights UpSharp NineQuartet, with Slide Hampton (trombone), Peter Washington (bass), Ray Appleton (drums)[3]
1996The Classic TrioSharp NineTrio, with Peter Washington (bass), Louis Hayes (drums)
1997How It IsCriss CrossWith Jim Rotondi (trumpet, flugelhorn), Steve Wilson (alto sax), Peter Washington (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)
1998Blues Quarters, Vol. 1Criss CrossQuartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Dwayne Burno (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)
1998A World for HerCriss CrossWith Javon Jackson (tenor sax), Steve Nelson (vibes), Peter Washington (bass), Louis Hayes and Joe Farnsworth (drums; separately)
1999?Mutual Admiration SocietySharp NineQuartet, with Joe Locke (vibes), Essiet Essiet (bass), Billy Drummond (drums)
1999?Waltz for DebbyVenusTrio, with George Mraz (bass), Billy Drummond (drums)
2000The Classic Trio, Vol. 2Sharp NineTrio, with Peter Washington (bass), Louis Hayes (drums)
2000Senor BluesVenusTrio, with Peter Washington (bass), Louis Hayes (drums)
2000PearlsVenusTrio, with Peter Washington (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)
2001Good-Hearted PeopleCriss CrossWith Steve Davis (trombone), Jim Snidero (alto sax, flute), Jesse van Ruller (guitar), Nat Reeves (bass), Tony Reedus (drums)
2001The Classic Trio Meets Eric AlexanderSharp NineQuartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Washington (bass), Louis Hayes (drums)
2002Manhattan AutumnSharp NineQuartet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Washington (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)
2003Close to YouCriss CrossTrio, with Peter Washington (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)
2003Alice in WonderlandVenusTrio, with George Mraz (bass), Billy Drummond (drums)[4]
2004Modern StandardsSharp NineTrio, with David Williams (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)
2005Cleopatra's DreamVenusTrio, with George Mraz (bass), Billy Drummond (drums)
2005ManhattanCheskyTrio, with George Mraz (bass), Billy Drummond (drums)
2005PerambulationCriss CrossTrio, with Peter Washington (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)
2006The Inspiration SuiteSharp NineWith Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Joe Locke (vibes), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)
2006The Jobim Songbook in New YorkCheskyTrio, with Nat Reeves (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)
2006Blues Quarters, Vol. 2Criss CrossWith Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Dwayne Burno (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums), percussion
2006AlfieVenusTrio, with David Williams (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)[5]
2009Mutual Admiration Society 2Sharp NineQuartet, with Joe Locke (vibes), Essiet Essiet (bass), Billy Drummond (drums)
2010InversionsCriss CrossQuintet, with Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Steve Nelson (vibes), John Webber (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)
2012?The New Classic TrioSharp NineTrio, with George Mraz (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)
2012Your StoryCube MetierTrio, with George Mraz (bass), Jason Brown (drums)[6]
2012ImpromptuCheskyTrio, with George Mraz (bass), Jason Brown (drums)
2013For All We KnowSmoke SessionsQuartet, with Seamus Blake (tenor sax), David Williams (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)
2013I Remember CedarSharp NineTrio, with David Williams (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)
2016?Next DoorMegabienwith Billy Peterson
2018The Time Is NowSmoke SessionsTrio, with Ron Carter (bass), Al Foster (drums)
2022Blues For GerryCriss CrossTrio, with Peter Washington (bass), Joe Farnsworth (drums)

As sideman

With Eric Alexander

With Javon Jackson

With Jesse van Ruller

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Crowther . Bruce . October 16, 2003 . David Hazeltine: Making It Mean Something . All About Jazz .
  2. Web site: Ankeny . Jason . David Hazeltine . AllMusic . October 9, 2017.
  3. Book: Cook . Richard . Richard Cook (journalist) . Morton . Brian . Brian Morton (Scottish writer) . The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings . 2008 . 9th . . 978-0-141-03401-0 . 677–678 . The Penguin Guide to Jazz .
  4. Web site: Alice in Wonderland . venusrecord.com . December 21, 2018.
  5. Web site: Alfie . venusrecord.com . December 21, 2018.
  6. Drouot . Alain . June 2014 . George Mraz/David Hazeltine Trio: Your Story . DownBeat . 81 . 6 . 75 .