Jazz Sundays: Eldar

I like to think that Eldar and I go way back, even if we have met only once. Back in the 90′s Eldar and I both went to summer camp at Interlochen, spending our summer in the ‘land of the stately pine’ in our navy blue knickers. I studied visual arts and he was the scrawny nine year old jazz piano prodigy wowing even the most talented of audiences. I remember watching him up on stage with Bill Cosby (who was playing drums) and being blown away by the maturity of the jazz notes being pounded out of the piano.

I met Eldar years later when he performed at the Rochester Jazz Festival. All grown up, he sat with one hand on the piano, another on a keyboard at his side, fingers flying while he smiled and nodded to the bass player and drummer. He is jazz piano delight and perfect for sunny summer afternoon.