Alan Broadbent

Alan Broadbent, ONZM (born April 23, 1947 in Auckland, New Zealand), is a jazz pianist, arranger and composer best known for his work with artists such as Woody Herman, Diane Schuur, Chet Baker, Irene Kral, Sheila Jordan, Charlie Haden, Warne Marsh, Bud Shank, and many others. He studied piano and music theory in his own country, but in the 1960s came to the US to study at the Berklee College of Music. In the 1970s he did both classical and jazz work, but from the eighties onwards he accompanied singers on piano. Later he gained note as an arranger of music and won two Grammies for arrangements he did with Natalie Cole and Shirley Horn.

Broadbent's first two albums, "Song of Home" and "Further Down the Road," 1were recorded in New Zealand on the Tartar label (TRL-043 and TRL-052 respectively) in 1985. Broadbent is joined on those recordings by Andy Brown (bass) and Frank Gibson, Jr. (drums). Those early albums show a fascination (which still characterizes Broadbent's work) with reinterpreting a broad range of standards -- he covers material as diverse as "What is this Thing Called Love?" (Cole Porter) and "Oleo" (Sonny Rollins). "Further on Down the Road" also shows Broadbent's increasing confidence as a composer (the title tune, "Nictation" and "Don't Ask Why"). These records already show Broadbent's virtuosity, and showcase a style somewhere between the intellectual lyricism of Bill Evans and the driving, arpeggio-driven swing of Oscar Peterson. Collectors items now, these albums are well-worth seeking out.

Broadbent's first U.S. release, "Everything I Love," was recorded in Hollywood in April 1986 and released on the Discovery label (DS-929). In this set, Putter Smith replaces Brown on bass; Frank Gibson, Jr. continues with the trio. Again, Broadbent covers standards ranging from Oscar Hammerstein ("Softly as in a Morning Sunrise") to John Coltrane ("Lazy Bird"), and contributes two original compositions ("Continuity" and "Mendocino Nights"). This record shows Broadbent's growing sense of melodic inventiveness and increasingly complex pacing ("Mendocino Nights" is a standout), and is an excellent and emotionally engaging collection.

During the 90's Broadbent was part of Charlie Haden's "Quartet West".

Discography

*1974 "Where Is Love?" (Choice)
*1979 "Palette" (Granite)
*1984 "Song of Home" (Kiwi Pacific)
*1985 "Song of Home"(Tartar)
*1985 "Further Down the Road" (Tartar)
*1986 "Everything I Love" (Discovery)
*1987 "Another Time" (Trend)
*1989 "Away from You" (Trend)
*1991 "Live at Maybeck Recital Hall" (Concord Jazz)
*1993 "Concord Duo Series, Vol. 4" (Concord Jazz)
*1994 "Over the Fence" (Ode)
*1995 "Pacific Standard Time" (Concord)
*1996 "Personal Standards" (Concord Jazz)
*2000 "Continuity" (Revelation)
*2003 "Fine and Dandy" (Manu)
*2003 "You and the Night and the Music" (A440 Music Group)
*2004 "In Blue" (North Star UK)
*2005 " 'Round Midnight" (Artistry Music)
*2005 "Slow Down/Beruhigen" (Sonia)
*2005 "With Strings" (King Japan)
*2006 "Every Time I Think of You" (Artistry Music)
*2007 "Time for Me/Zeit für Mich" (Sonia)

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/cgi-perl/music/muze/index.pl?site=radio2&action=biography&artist_id=4250&rand= BBC Radio 2]
* [http://www.jazzhistorydatabase.com/collections-old/williamson-interviews.html New England Jazz History Database - Audio Interviews]