Child prodigies don’t always live up to their early promise. Pianist Eldar Djangirov (known simply as Eldar), on the other hand, has only soared higher and higher. A decade since catching the attention of Dr. Billy Taylor as an 11-year-old whizkid, Eldar is a veteran touring artist with his fourth major-label release, Virtue (2009). With his trio, Eldar will perform at Catalina’s in Los Angeles, October 29th-November 1st.

Artist Info

Kyrgyzstan prodigy Eldar Djangirov took an interest in the piano at age three, began serious studies while still in elementary school, catching the ear of Dr. Billy Taylor at 11. After appearing with Taylor on CBS Sunday Morning, Eldar and his family relocated to Kansas City where he could pursue his interest in jazz through studies with local musicians and at Interlochen.

Still in his early teens, he went on to win top prizes at the 2001 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and the 2002 Peter Nero Piano Competition; in 2004 he appeared on Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz, her youngest guest ever (at the time).

Following two well-received independent releases (Handprints, 2003 and Eldar, 2005), Eldar signed with Sony Classical in 2004, releasing another Eldar featuring John Patitucci and Michael Brecker. Next came Live at the Blue Note with Roy Hargrove and Chris Botti, earning four stars from Downbeat and the review, “Few musicians on any axe swing like Eldar…his groove is intense and overwhelming. It’s not the flash and fire that should stir interest in Eldar. It’s what he does when the razzle-dazzle dies down and we sense substance within and beyond his pyrotechnics.” The New York Times also noted his “formidable technique wedded to a mature grasp of musical structure.”

In 2008, his third Sony release, Re-Imagination, received a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Jazz Album, topped for the award by Herbie Hancock’s River. Here Eldar moved away from strictly acoustic arrangements with electronics and the programming of DJ Logic. Noted Paula Edelstein (JazzUSA.com), “With the release of Re-imagination… jazz pianist Eldar documents his transition from youthful prodigy to a creative artist with something to say.”

Performance Details

October 29th – 31st (8:00 pm, 10:00 pm)
November 1st (7:30 pm, 9:30 pm)

$18-$25, depending on day and time (get tickets)

Catalina Bar & Grill
6725 West Sunset Blvd.
Hollywood California 90028
Phone: (323) 466-2210
www.catalinajazzclub.com

Related Posts

1. Catalina Bar & Grill Welcomes Bebob Guitarist Kenny Burrell & Quartet
2. Pharoah Sanders Visits Catalina’s In LA August 29th
3. Antoinette Montague Performs With The Queens Jazz Orchestra
4. Dont’ Miss Julia Fordham at Catalina Bar & Grill
5. Catalina’s In L.A. To Host Pharoah Sanders August 27th-29th