Saturday I went to NYC and the Iridium jazz club on Broadway/51st to see pianist Billy Childs and his jazz chamber ensemble. This ensemble was formed and influenced by the desire to combine the classical and jazz music genres. The group's members included Carol Robbins on harp, Larry Koonse on guitar, Scott Colley on bass, Steve Wilson on sax/flute and the great Brian Blade on drums. This immensely talented pianist began piano lessons at age six, and started playing professionally as a teenager, later performing with Diane Reeves and Freddie Hubbard. Billy has been nominated for eight Grammys, winning two, and recently received the Guggenheim Fellowship for music composition. His immense talent and that of his fellow musicians on stage last night made it one of my musical highlights.
