John Blum (pianist)

John Blum (born April 15, 1968) is an American jazz pianist and composer.

John Blum
Born (1968-04-15) April 15, 1968
New York City, United States
GenresFree jazz
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsPiano
Years active1991–present
Websitejohnblum.com

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]

References
  1. "John Blum: In The Shade Of The Sun". Allaboutjazz.com. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  2. "Steve Swell's Slammin' The Infinite: 5000 Poems". Allaboutjazz.com. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  3. "New York Times Music Review". The New York Times. Retrieved June 19, 2006.
  4. "The Listings – August 25 – August 31 – Schedule –". The New York Times. Retrieved August 25, 2006.
  5. "John Blum Naked Mirror Review". www.squidsear.com. Retrieved May 21, 2003.
  6. "Blum, John – Jazz.com | Jazz Music – Jazz Artists – Jazz News". Jazz.com. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 12, 2015.

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

Selected reviews
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