Presented by KNKX. Noah Haidu has arrived as an important new voice in jazz who combines modernism, soul, and swing into his own unique approach. Recently the national media has focused on Noah as a force to be reckoned with: The Wall Street Journal singled out Haidu for a major write-up stating that “by now he has his own unique approach…sounding buoyant and free like a pent up spirit released.”
Perhaps it is this unique approach that Wall Street Journal writer Larry Blumenfeld wrote of which has earned Noah such a strong following. Recent tour highlights have included packed shows at major venues like Yoshi’s Jazz Club, The Nash and Birdland while he racked up millions of streams on Apple Music and Spotify.
His latest recording was included in Downbeat Magazine’s Best Albums of the year issue (Jan 2022) and was called a “stunning and heartfelt tribute” in that publication. SLOWLY was released on the heels of another groundbreaking work: Noah’s multimedia project DOCTONE which was the subject of an NPR feature heard around the country and was showcased by the legendary writer Nate Chinen on the show “All Songs Considered.” DOCTONE, an album of pianist Kenny Kirkland’s music was released in tandem with a book by Haidu on Kirkland’s life, and a documentary short film which Haidu produced.
Noah’s work as a composer is at the forefront of his third album named one of Downbeat Magazine’s “Best Albums of 2017.” Entitled INFINITE DISTANCES, this opus is centered around Haidu’s 6-part suite for quintet which stretches stylistic boundaries: dizzying rhythmic pirouettes land alternatively on lush melodic material and cutting-edge harmonies. This release earned Noah a rare 4½ star review in Downbeat which went on to hail him as an “innovative composer” and called the project “a sumptuous record which swings and grooves with far out moments. Writer Giovanni Russonello described him as “A performer with focus and vision” noting that his “melodies get stuck deep in your head.” Rochester City News noted the “superb solos at every turn” while Hot House characterized the project as “an ambitious and highly successful showcase for Noah’s piano, compositions, and ensemble conception.” Noah made his recording debut with the 2011 Posi-Tone release SLIPSTREAM which was described in JazzTimes as follows: “With jazz luminaries like trumpeter Jeremy Pelt and alto saxophonist Jon Irabagon gracing the band…rising above their powerful performance is quite an accomplishment and Haidu does just that.” The recording garnered glowing write-ups and 8 weeks in the top 50 national jazz radio charts. Jazzwise described Noah as “Unquestionably one of the most confident and impressive of all the new pianists.” All About Jazz said simply “the cat can play his butt off.” After the strong compositional statement of SLIPSTREAM, Noah’s first trio album MOMENTUM (Posi-Tone Records, 2013) was released.
A versatile drummer, Lenny White is still best-known for being part of Chick Corea’s Return To Forever in the 1970’s. White was self-taught on drums and he largely started his career on top, playing regularly with Jackie McLean (1968) and recording “Bitches Brew” with Miles Davis in 1969. White was soon working with some of the who’s who of jazz including Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Woody Shaw, Gato Barbieri, Gil Evans, Stanley Clarke and Stan Getz among others. As a member of Return To Forever during 1973-76, White gained a strong reputation as one of the top fusion drummers, but he was always versatile enough to play in many settings.
Buster Williams is a prodigious artist whose playing knows no limits. He has played, recorded and collaborated with jazz giants such as Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Betty Carter, Carmen McRae, Chet Baker, Chick Corea, Dexter Gordon, Jimmy Heath, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis, Gene Ammons, Sonny Stitt, Herbie Hancock, Larry Coryell, Lee Konitz, McCoy Tyner, Nancy Wilson, Elvin Jones, Miles Davis, The Jazz Crusaders, Sarah Vaughan, Benny Golson, Hank Jones, Lee Morgan, Bobby Hutcherson, Sonny Rollins, Count Basie, and Freddie Hubbard to name a few.