Reed will be discussing his dynamic new composition The Word of God, a large work for jazz ensemble, gospel choir, and solo vocalist now being featured on the Jazz From Lincoln Center episode “On Commission," to be heard on over 120 National Public Radio stations between March 15 and 29, 2001. The Word of God, commissioned by J@LC, was premiered in Alice Tully Hall on November 3 & 4, 2000. The radio program also features commissioned works by Paquito D'Rivera and trumpeter Nicholas Payton.
This web chat offers jazz fans and newcomers alike the opportunity to ask Reed questions about his new work, his impressive career, his musical philosophy, and more. Users are encouraged to submit questions in advance using the online form here. A chat transcript will be archived at http://www.jazzatlincolncenter.org for those unable to log in during the event.
Previous J@LC web chats have featured trombonist Wycliffe Gordon and multi-instrumentalist Sam Rivers. J@LC web chats are produced by J@LC and Murray Street Enterprise, who also co-produce Jazz From Lincoln Center, the Peabody Award-winning J@LC radio program.
Eric Reed (Piano) was born in Philadelphia. At age two, he began playing piano, picking up the gospel style in his father's church, and at age seven, he began to take classical lessons. Four years later, he moved with his family to Los Angeles, where he was introduced to the music of Ahmad Jamal, a major influence on the young pianist. He played his first professional engagement at age 13 and went on to perform with Teddy Edwards, Art Blakey, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Gerald Wilson, and Courtney Pine. When he was 14 years old, Mr. Reed met Wynton Marsalis, and by age 18, he performed on his first tour with Mr. Marsalis. Mr. Reed was the pianist in the Wynton Marsalis Septet from 1989 until the group disbanded in 1995. He has recorded six albums as a leader, including his most recent, Manhattan Melodies (1999). He was a member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra for several years and performs regularly in Jazz at Lincoln Center events, including an acclaimed appearance as Guest Music Director for “In His Solitude - The Sacred Music of Duke Ellington," the December 1999 finale to the yearlong J@LC celebration of The Ellington Centennial, and premiering his new work “The Word of God" in an As of Now concert in November 2000.
Now in its tenth year, Jazz at Lincoln Center is the world's largest not-for-profit arts organization dedicated to jazz. With the world-renowned Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and a comprehensive array of guest artists, Jazz at Lincoln Center advances a unique vision for the continued development of the art of jazz by producing a year-round schedule of education, performance and broadcast events for audiences of all ages. These productions include concerts, national and international tours, residencies, a weekly national radio program, television broadcasts, recordings, publications, an annual high school jazz band competition and festival, a band director academy, a jazz appreciation curriculum for children, advanced training through the Juilliard Institute for Jazz Studies, music publishing, children's concerts, lectures, film programs, and student and educator workshops. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Wynton Marsalis, Jazz at Lincoln Center will produce more than 450 events during its 2000-01 season. Currently, Jazz at Lincoln Center is building its new home - Frederick P. Rose Hall - the first-ever education, performance, and broadcast facility devoted to jazz, slated to open in the fall of 2003.
For more information, please visit www.jazzatlincolncenter.org.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
