Joey Calderazzo, the phenomenal band pianist, has proved to be among the most intense and engaged of contemporary soloists and accompanists. His energy, technique and rapid-fire imagination have marked him as one of the most exciting jazz pianists to emerge in recent years.
From a musical family background, he began studying classical piano at the age of seven. He discovered jazz and at the age 17 and began sitting in with New York jazz musicians. In 1987 he became part of the touring Michael Brecker Quintet.
In 1990 he recorded his first disc IN THE DOOR (Blue Note), playing with Jerry Bergonzi and Branford Marsalis. As the 90s progressed, two more Blue Note albums followed. His impressive playing was showcased and his budding writing skills began to emerge.
Composer and pianist on Brecker’s TALES FROM THE HUDSON and TWO BLOCKS FROM THE EDGE, an active musical relationship with Branford Marsalis began when he assumed one of the keyboard chairs in Marsalis’ group Buckshot Le Fonque. When pianist Kenny Kirkland died in 1998, Calderazzo assumed his chair in the quartet.
In 2003, after nearly two decades sharing the spotlight with some of the greats of jazz, he decided to go out under his own name. The complete range of his skills has never been more evident that on Haiku, his debut solo disc on Marsalis Music.
