Dick Hyman was born March 8, 1927, in New York City. Classically trained, Hyman was drawn to jazz at an early age. Today, he's a living, breathing, swinging encyclopedia of jazz piano history, from ragtime and stride to bebop and beyond.
To hear my conversation with KPLU's Morning Edition host Kirsten Kendrick, click on the listen button above.
Hyman has written music for theatre, dance, symphony and film. Notably, he's contributed music to several Woody Allen movies, including Zelig, Hannah and Her Sisters and Sweet And Lowdown.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA10tb9__rs
Today, he's still performing, writing and teaching. To hear my pick of his songs that present an all-too-brief overview of Hyman's unique combination of uplifting elegance and jaw-dropping chops go here.
