Jason Myers
El Cerrito, California, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
Label: Keyplayer Music Productions, October 2001
Personnel: Jason Myers-piano, Brian Kane-guitar, Paul Breslin-bass
At a JJA panel discussion I recently attended in Boston, the firebrand pianist Danilo Perez bemoaned the demise of regional and local jazz scenes in our time. According to Perez, young professionals with the right stuff are more likely than ever to head to New York, viewing The Apple as the only place where a career in jazz is going to happen. New York, of course, has been the Mecca of scenes for many years, but there was a time when smaller cities like Chicago, Boston, Detroit and New Orleans all had vibrant local scenes, their own local legends, and a number of places to play.
While it’s true that the jazz venues of yesteryear are mostly all gone, on a smaller scale local scenes do still exist. That is, all over the country there are great players slugging it out in small venues for small audiences night after night, keeping the music alive and playing with joy and integrity, albeit without any hope of securing a Blue Note contract, or for that matter making a comfortable living in music.
San Francisco Bay area pianist Jason Myers is a prime example of the regional phenomenon that exists in the year 2003. The young pianist holds court with his trio five nights a week at Houston's on the Embarcadero, playing jazz with facility and emotional maturity. Cookin' at Houston's is a testament to the state of live jazz in San Francisco. The title track, an in-the-pocket original blues by the leader, kicks off a strong set that also includes a batch of familiar songbook staples as well as three more Myers originals.
From the Songbook come works by Ellington, Andy Razaf and Fats Waller, the Gershwins, and Neil Hefti and an especially nice job on the Eddy Arnold composition You Don't Know Me, which was a huge hit for Ray Charles in the 60's. Myers demonstrates an authoritative command of the gospel feel that made the Ray Charles version so appealing. I was also drawn to Myers original compositions, another blues, a funk piece in which one could almost hear the drums that were not there, and a beautiful lullaby dedicated to the composer’s son. If I get to San Francisco soon, I’ll be checking out Jason Myers live. I suggest you do the same.
- Richard Mayer May 18, 2003 - Richard Mayer; EspressoJazz.net
Discography
Jason Myers "Body And Soul" 2006 (solo piano)
The Jason Myers Trio "Cookin' At Houston's" 2002
Jason Myers "Seems Like Old Times" 1999 (solo piano)
The Jason Myers Trio "Sentimental Journey"(Spring 2009 release)
Photos
Bio
Upon hearing pianist Jason Myers for the first time, it becomes obvious that he has a deep affinity and respect for the music he is playing. Drawing primarily from a wide repertoire of standards from the 1930's and 1940's, he has the ability of capturing the spirit of that time while simultaneously adding his own distinct voice. His style has been influenced by "Fats" Waller, Nat "King" Cole, and Dave McKenna and he has been admired by such artists as Liza Minnelli and Steve Allen.
Performing over 300 times a year, Jason can be heard playing both with his band and solo piano. The Jason Myers Trio performs at Houston's in San Francisco five nights a week where he has been the resident pianist since its opening in February 1998. The band also performs at other venues in the Bay Area. Jason's solo performances include his nostalgic musical program, "Seems Like Old Times", which continues to be performed throughout California and North Carolina.
Myers' CD's include "Body And Soul" (solo), "The Jason Myers Trio: Cookin' At Houston's", and "Seems Like Old Times" (solo).
Jason has also been recognized as a talented songwriter. Most notable is his collaboration with Steve Allen. After their initial meeting in 1997, Allen was inspired to write lyrics to several of Myers' songs. The first completed work was "They Said It Wouldn't Last" and was recorded by vocalist Carol Jolin. Myers has also won awards from the Unisong International Song Contest and from the Virginia Organization of Composers and Lyricists.
Besides his own projects, Jason has also performed at the 1999 Monterey Jazz Festival with Clint Baker's New Orleans Jazz Band, The Brian Kane Trio, Mal Sharpe's Big Money In Dixieland, and is a sought-after accompanist for vocalists, having performed with Maye Cavallaro, Shanna Carlson, Jennifer Lee, Jackie Ryan, and Mary Stallings.
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