The Russian-born jazz piano prodigy returns to his former home for a pair of concerts.
By Lee Ingalls
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-633300.mp3
Kansas City, MO – In the late 1990s a ten-year-old Russian boy named Eldar caused quite a stir in Kansas City jazz circles with a piano technique faster than most players are lucky enough to develop at any age. The former child prodigy is now a 20 year old young man and this year he released his third album, Re-Imagination, made up mostly of material he composed himself.
KCUR's Lee Ingalls spoke to Eldar about the new album and his return to Kansas City to play a pair of concerts with some old friends.
Eldar and his trio perform with the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra September 28 & 29 at Unity on the Plaza. He'll also hold a workshop at Kansas City Kansas Community College Friday morning. Free student tickets for Saturday night's show are being provided by the Tony Di Pardo Foundation.
Tracks from Re-Imagination used in this feature:
- Place St. Henri (Oscar Peterson)
- Prairie Village (Eldar)
- I Remember When (Eldar)