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Eldar Djangirov

The New York Times described the New York based pianist Eldar Djangirov as "a blend of musical intelligence, organizational savvy, enthusiasm and prowess that was all the more impressive for seeming so casual… an ebullient impressionist." Dr. Billy Taylor said, "Eldar Djangirov's playing shows brilliancy, complexity, and discipline... he's serious about his music, he's thoughtful about what he does.” Jazz Times said, “Maybe he made a pact with Lucifer to be the greatest pianist ever." Praised as “a genius beyond most young people I've heard” by Dave Brubeck. Downbeat magazine stated that "his command of his instrument is beyond staggering."

When Eldar Djangirov (pronounced john-'gear-ov) was signed to Sony Classical at the age of 17, the young pianist from Kansas City was already well known for his prodigious pyrotechnics and precocious knowledge of the bebop tradition. Along the way, he's had the good fortune to meet and work with the masters including Dr. Billy Taylor, Marian McPartland, Dave Brubeck, Michael Brecker, Wynton Marsalis, Joshua Redman, Nicholas Payton, Harvey Mason, Ron Carter, Pat Martino and many others. Through these opportunities and other wonderful musical experiences, Eldar continues to explore new frontiers through composing and performing, enabling him to ultimately to realize his own musical vision.

Born on January 28, 1987, Eldar came to the U.S. from the former Soviet Union when he was ten. Among his first performances were in his hometown of Kansas City, as well as The Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan. He quickly then moved up the ranks and was featured on the NPR Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz show at the age of twelve. He released two albums independently. Eldar signed with Sony and recorded his major label self-titled debut featuring the great bassist, John Patitucci, and Michael Brecker on tenor sax. He followed up with the critically acclaimed "Live at the Blue Note" with guest appearances by Roy Hargrove and Chris Botti in 2006. Eldar was nominated for a Grammy in 2008 for his album "Re-imagination."

Eldar has appeared at numerous major jazz festivals including Tokyo Jazz Festival, Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, Java Jazz Festival, Vienna Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, and San Francisco Jazz Festival and has toured extensively throughout North America, Europe and Asia. He has performed at venues ranging from the Hollywood Bowl to Carnegie Hall and has played at the most notable jazz venues across the world. Eldar has been seen on national TV including the 2000 and 2008 Grammy Awards, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, CBS Saturday Early Show, and Jimmy Kimmel Live. In addition, he has also played with world renowned symphony orchestras such as NHK Symphony Orchestra, Russian National Orchestra, and San Diego Symphony Orchestra. He has 4 critically acclaimed trio albums including the most recent "Virtue" featuring his trio Armando Gola (bass) and Ludwig Afonso (drums) as well as guest appearances by Joshua Redman and Nicholas Payton. "With the release of Virtue, Eldar may have sealed his role in future jazz history" (Bill Meredith, Jazziz).

Eldar, Bill Frisell, Gerry Mulligan and More

by Joe Dimino
April 12, 2020

Another stellar album is out there from Pianist Eldar Djangirov and we play music off of it. Also, we honor the great Mike Longo and Harold Mabern. Enjoy the jazz. Playlist Eldar Djangirov “Devotion" Once Upon a Time (Twelve Tone Resonance, LLC) 00:00 Host talks 5:50 Marian McPartland “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" Reader's Digest Presents (Reader's Digest) 7:47 Bill Frisell “Beautiful View" Big Sur (Sony) 9:53 Host talks 13:51 Mike Longo “Times Square"The Earth is but One ...

Album Review

Eldar Djangirov: Rhapsodize

Read "Rhapsodize" reviewed by Jim Worsley

by Jim Worsley
February 28, 2020

Riding the crest since his powerful mid-2000s debut, pianist Eldar Djangirov entertains with a myriad of styles, shapes and colors. They all seem to fit him as well as personally designed piano shoes. It falls short to say that this record is dynamic. It fuses genres into a singular, yet wide, creation that features seven original compositions and four imaginative interpretations from Bach to Dizzy Gillespie and from Soundgarden to Art Tatum. The trio is energized, and completed by bassist ...

Album Review

Eldar Djangirov: Rhapsodize

Read "Rhapsodize" reviewed by Mike Jurkovic

by Mike Jurkovic
February 26, 2020

Eldar Djangirov... None other than Dave Brubeck declared him a genius. Dr. Billy Taylor called his music a “brilliantly complex discipline." So, when inevitably asked who the masters of their craft may or may not be, does Eldar Djangirov immediately roll off anyone's tongue? More than likely not. And, with more than a handful of hot releases—the 2007 Grammy-nominated Re-Imagination (Sony Music), the flawless and much acclaimed Three Stories (Sony Music, 2011) and the mad energy rush of ...

Album Review

Eldar Djangirov: Breakthrough

Read "Breakthrough" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
July 29, 2013

"Point Of View Redux"--the eight-minute-long opener on pianist Eldar Djangirov's Breakthrough--doesn't exactly say it all, but it says a hell of a lot. A firmly delivered flourish flies through the air in the opening seconds, a rollicking riff sets things in motion as titan-like technique powers the warp-speed explorations that follow, things take a bluesy turn for a spell, and Djangirov generates enough energy to power an entire city block along the way. This aptly-titled number serves as a musical ...

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Album Review

Eldar Djangirov: Three Stories

Read "Three Stories" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
April 21, 2011

The “child prodigy" tag can be a blessing or a curse. Some people who are labeled in such a manner spend the rest of their lives trying to live up to a reputation that was forced upon them at an early age, while others simply mature and grow into themselves, ultimately capitalizing on the attention they received in their youth. Eldar Djangirov falls into the latter category. While Djangirov--in his early twenties when this album was recorded--can still be considered ...

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Album Review

Eldar Djangirov: Three Stories

Read "Three Stories" reviewed by Matt Marshall

by Matt Marshall
April 2, 2011

Since emerging on the worldwide jazz scene in 2004, pianist Eldar Djangirov has been touted for the classical skill he brings to standard jazz and original material alike. With Three Stories, Eldar attacks the classical repertoire itself, mixing a pair of Bach pieces, and one from Alexander Scriabin, with standards by the likes of Sammy Cahn, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk and George Gershwin, plus a few originals. The three stories--classical, standards (or popular music--he also covers a Dave Matthews tune) ...

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Album Review

Eldar Djangirov: Virtue

by Bruce Lindsay
November 18, 2009

Virtue is Eldar's fourth album--his sixth, if his early independent releases are included--something of an achievement for a musician who was only 22 years old at the time of the album's release. The album further affirms the Kyrgyzstan-born, New York-based musician's deserved reputation for technical ability. Across the 11 tracks Eldar shows speed and virtuosity--on one or two ballads there are also welcome signs of a developing awareness of the impact of space and silence. Throughout the ...

Performance / Tour

An Evening With A Superband: Mike Pope & The House Of Cardinals Featuring Mike Pope, Eldar Djangirov, Joe Locke, Bob Franceschini & Mauricio Zottarelli

Source: Sue Auclair Promotions
May 15, 2014

Cambridge, MA: Cambridge's jazz hotspot—the Regattabar—will present An Evening with A Superband: Mike Pope & the House of Cardinals featuring acoustic and electric bassist and composer Mike Pope, pianist Eldar Djangirov, vibraphonist Joe Locke, saxophonist Bob Franceschini and drummer Mauricio Zottarelli on Tuesday, June 10, 2014, 7:30 PM. The Regattabar is located in the Charles Hotel, One Bennett Street, Cambridge, MA 02138. Tickets at $25.00 are on sale now at regattabarjazz.com or information and tickets are also available by calling ...
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Recording

Grammy Nominated Pianist Eldar Djangirov Achieves A Career Breakthrough With Tandem Releases: Breakthrough, A New Jazz Trio Opus And Bach/Brahms/Prokofiev, His Solo Classical Debut

Source: GoMedia PR
June 26, 2013

"A sparkling command of the instrument." —Chick Corea “An uncompromising clarity of rhythm, timing and sound that is pure light." —Jan Vogler, Dir., Moritzburg Chamber Music Festival Few artists could record two albums over the course of one week in different musical genres, with disparate personnel, and at separate studios. Yet New York City-based pianist Eldar Djangirov has done just that, and proven himself musically ambidextrous as evidenced by two remarkable, self-produced recordings for his debut on the maverick, multi-Grammy ...
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Recording

Pianist Eldar Djangirov Tandem Releases: New Jazz Trio Opus Plus Solo Classical Debut

Source: Shore Fire Media
April 23, 2013

Few artists could record two albums over the course of one week in different musical genres, with disparate personnel, and at separate studios. Yet New York City-based pianist Eldar Djangirov has done just that, and proven himself musically ambidextrous as evidenced by two remarkable, self-produced recordings for his debut on the maverick, multi-Grammy® nominated Motéma Music this April and May. Eldar's Breakthrough, recorded at Avatar Studios in New York City, was released April 9. Like the 26-year-old's 2009 disc Virtue, ...
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Recording

Eldar's "Three Stories" Coming April 5

Source: Chris M. Slawecki
February 21, 2011

Since signing with Sony Masterworks at the age of 17, the young pianist Eldar has worked tirelessly on the road and in the studio to deepen his exploration of the traditions of jazz: bebop, post-bop and beyond. With the April 5th release of Three Stories, his first solo recording on Masterworks Jazz, Eldar pays homage to his classical roots by combining his musical passions, jazz and classical.

“The title has a double meaning," he explains. “First, it is the name ...
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"...his command of the instrument is beyond staggering." —Bob Doershuk, Downbeat

"[THREE STORIES] is certainly jazz piano, but it's the kind that belongs in a recital hall... Djangirov gets to the heart of every song." —Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz

"He’s a genius beyond most young people I’ve heard." —Dave Brubeck in The New York Times

“Eldar’s solo piano mastery continues to amaze.” —All About Jazz

“Excellent... Eldar’s keyboard technique can be blisteringly electric one moment, tender and thoughtful the next...boundless range and talent.” —San Francisco Chronicle