Cyrus Chestnut
b. 17 January 1963, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Chestnut is a gifted and deeply religious young pianist with a style equally rooted in the jazz and gospel idioms. Chestnut's grandfather was a musical churchman, and his musical legacy was passed down to his son, who in turn taught Cyrus to play piano at the age of five. When Chestnut was nine he attended the Peabody Preparatory Institute, before moving on to the Berklee College Of Music. While at Berklee he was the recipient of the Eubie Blake Fellowship, the Oscar Peterson Scholarship and the Quincy Jones Scholarship, and graduated with a degree in jazz composition and arranging. Chestnut played with several notable jazz figures, including Jon Hendricks, Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison, Wynton Marsalis and Betty Carter before he released his solo debut in 1992, working with fellow young musicians, bass player Christian McBride and drummer Carl Allen. Chestnut signed to Atlantic Records in 1994, and has released acclaimed albums that combine the swagger of his swinging jazz piano with the spirituality of gospel. Nowhere is this more apparent than on Blessed Quietness, where Chestnut covers a choice selection of hymns, carols and spirituals. In 2000, Chestnut collaborated with Vanessa Williams, Brian McKnight, Manhattan Transfer, and the Boys Choir Of Harlem on a updated version of Vince Guaraldi's seasonal classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas.
Listen to Cyrus Chestnut
at Finetune.
Albums
- (2003) You Are My Sunshine
- (2001) Soul Food
- (2000) A Charlie Brown Christmas
- (1998) Cyrus Chestnut
- (1996) Earth Stories
- (1996) Blessed Quietness: A Collection Of Hymns, Spirituals And Carols
- (1995) The Dark Before The Dawn
- (1994) Revelation
Top Tracks
- My Favorite Things - Featuring Anita Baker
- Amazing Grace
- My Funny Valentine
- Swing Low Sweet Chariot
- Soul Food
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