Taylor Eigsti and Marian McPartland joined for a special live taping of Piano Jazz to be replayed on May 8th at 7 p.m.At 7 p.m. on WMOT-Jazz89, Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz and Taylor Eigsti - Tanglewood will be on. Twenty-year-old piano prodigy, Taylor Eigsti joined McPartland for a special live taping of Piano Jazz at the 2004 Tanglewood Jazz Festival. Eigsti dazzled the audience with his amazing technique and his flawless improvisations on "Fever" before he and McPartland traded licks and creative piano techniques on "Oleo."
Eigsti began playing the piano at the age of four and made his professional debut at the age of eight when he was invited to be the opening act for jazz pianist David Benoit. Since then, he has received much acclaim for both his technical proficiency and mature, intuitive style of playing.
He has appeared on stage with such well-known and respected artists as Dave Brubeck, James Moody, Bobby Hutcherson, Ernestine Anderson, Kevin Mahogany, Bill Watrous, Diane Schuur, David Benoit, Lewis Nash, Rufus Reid, Johnny Frigo, Keter Betts, Alan Broadbent, Red Holloway, Jeff Chambers, Ira Sullivan, Ed Shaughnessy, Shelly Berg, among many others. Taylor has also performed in other genres as well, playing with Sylvia McNair, Frederica von Stade, and numerous major symphonies. He has also given performances for many important political figures, including former President Bill Clinton, Senator Bill Bradley, and former Colorado Governor Roy Romer. Currently, he performs with his trio, which includes drummer Jason Lewis and bassist John Shifflett, as well as with the Brubeck Brothers Quartet and other various musical settings.
Taylor's latest CD with John Shifflett and Jason Lewis, "Resonance" was released on Bop City records in August of 2003. Since then, the album has garnered 4-star reviews from many reviewers including Downbeat Magazine, All Music Guide, Billboard Magazine, Jazz Connection, and more, and moved to #5 in National Jazz Airplay for 2 weeks. Eigsti has released three other CDs as a leader: Tay's Groove (2000), Live at Filoli (2001), and Taylor's Dream (2001, DIW Records), and his song "Past Voices" was featured on Windham Hill Records' 25th anniversary piano collection "Windows: 25 Years of Piano."
Recently, Taylor was the featured guest on an episode of Marian McPartland's NPR program "Piano Jazz", and recorded another episode live at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival in September of 2004. In addition, he has also been a featured guest on many television programs, including the Jerry Lewis Telethon in 2003, and various morning and evening news programs in different states.
Taylor has also accumulated much music teaching experience, serving on the faculty of the Stanford Jazz Workshop since 1999 and teaching at the San Jose State Jazz Workshop, "Jazz Goes to College" for five years, in addition to giving occasional clinics and workshops at various colleges and institutions.
Inspired by his sister Shannon, a jazz and rock pianist who died of cancer when he was three years old, Taylor has dedicated himself to using his talent. His future pursuits include writing music for television and film, continuing to travel, perform and record jazz, as well as writing for and collaborating with other genres of music.