Duke Jazz Ensemble with Cyrus Chestnut, piano

Join the Duke Jazz Ensemble, directed by John Brown with associate director Evan Roberson, as they welcome pianist Cyrus Chestnut to the Baldwin stage.

$10 general admission, $5 senior citizens, students/children free. Tickets can be purchased at https://tickets.duke.edu and will also be available at the door.

If you are unable to attend this concert in person, livestream it for free at: https://youtube.com/live/-qsPmwqWegs.

View the program: https://music.duke.edu/sites/music.duke.edu/files/documents/Jazz%20program%204.14.23.pdf

Cyrus Chestnut earned a degree in jazz composition and arranging at the Berklee College of Music. While at Berklee, he was awarded the Eubie Blake Fellowship, the Oscar Peterson, Quincy Jones, and Count Basie awards for exceptional performance standards at the college. After Berklee, Cyrus began further honing his craft as a sideman with some of the legendary and leading musicians in the business. Some of these great people include; Jon Hendricks, Michael Carvin, Donald Harrison, Terence Blanchard, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Delfeayo Marsalis, Freddie Hubbard, Benny Golson, Curtis Fuller, Regina Cater, Chick Corea, Jimmy Heath, James Moody, Joe Williams, Isaac Hayes, Kathleen Battle, Betty Carter, and Dizzy Gillespie just to name a few.

In the summer of 1993, Chestnut signed with Atlantic Records, releasing the critically acclaimed "Revelation" (1994), followed by "The Dark Before The Dawn" (1995), "EarthStories" (1996), "Blessed Quietness" (1996), and "Cyrus Chestnut" (which featured Anita Baker, James Carter, Joe Lovano, Ron Carter, Billy Higgins, and Lewis Nash, 1998). In 2001, he released "Soul Food," featuring bassist Christian McBride, drummer Lewis Nash, and special guest soloists including James Carter, Stefon Harris, Wycliffe Gordon, and Marcus Printup. This acclaimed record was included in Down Beat's list of the best records of 2001 and ascended to the "Top 10" on the Jazz charts.

Cyrus has been featured on film playing a Count Basie inspired character in the Robert Altman film, "Kansas City." His leadership and prowess as a soloist has also led him to be a first call for the piano chair in many big bands including the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All Star Big Band, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra.

Chestnut continually tours with his trio, playing live at jazz festivals around the world as well as clubs and concert halls.