John Kelly Colianni (January 7, 1962 – November 28, 2023) was an American jazz pianist.
John Colianni | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | John Kelly Colaianni |
| Born | January 7, 1962 Paterson, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | November 28, 2023 (aged 61) Langhorne, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Piano |
| Years active | 1970s–2023 |
| Labels | Concord, Patuxent |
| Website | johncolianni |
Early life
editThe son of Patricia Colaianni and journalist James F. Colaianni, John Colianni was born in Paterson, New Jersey, on January 7, 1962, and grew up in Maryland.[1] Duke Ellington performed a concert in 1974 at Georgetown University.[1] Colianni was mesmerized by Ellington's piano work, orchestrations, and stage presence. Weekly lessons began at the age of 14.
Career
edit
Colianni played in jazz clubs in Washington D.C., and appeared as a teen with a traveling group of young musicians known as Jazz Stars of the Future. This group performed under the direction of Keter Betts. During his last year of high school, Colianni moved to New Jersey with his family.[1]
Colianni became a pianist in Lionel Hampton's big band for three years.[1] His debut album was released by Concord Records.[2] He came in third in the 1987 Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition in Washington D.C.[3]
From 1987 to 1990 he played with film director and clarinetist Woody Allen's Ragtime and Funeral Orchestra. He recorded with Mel Tormé and toured with him in the early 1990s. From 2003–2009 he was a member of a trio led by guitarist Les Paul.[1] From 2010–2013 he toured and recorded with the trio of Larry Coryell. In 2004 he worked with vocalist Anita O'Day.[4] He recorded with Joe Wilder, Connie Kay, Emily Remler, Mel Lewis, and Lew Tabackin.
Death
editColianni died in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, on November 28, 2023, at the age of 61.[5]
Discography
editAs leader
edit- John Colianni (Concord Jazz, 1986)
- Blues-o-Matic (Concord Jazz, 1989)
- At Maybeck (Concord Jazz, 1995)
- Colianni & Company (1998)
- Swings (Amosaya, 1999)
- Johnny Chops (Patuxent, 2008)
- On Target (Patuxent, 2011)
- After Hours (Patuxent, 2015)
- I Never Knew (Patuxent, 2018)
- Ahead of the Crowd (Patuxent, 2021)
As sideman
editWith Mel Torme
- Christmas Songs (Telarc, 1992)
- Nothing Without You (Concord Jazz, 1992)
- Sing, Sing, Sing (Concord Jazz, 1993)
- The Great American Songbook: Live at Michael's Pub (Telarc, 1993)
- A Tribute to Bing Crosby (Concord Jazz, 1994)
With others
- Muriel Anderson, Wildcat (Heartstrings Attached, 2005)
- Larry Coryell, Montgomery (Patuxent, 2011)
- Lionel Hampton, Made in Japan (Timeless, 1983)
- Lionel Hampton, Mostly Ballads (Musicmasters, 1990)
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Colianni, John (September 2013). "Maximizing Piano Technique Using the Matthay Exercises". DownBeat. pp. 76–77.
- ^ "John Colianni". Concord. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- ^ "Hancock Institute of Jazz". hancockinstitute.org. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- ^ Jenkins, Todd S. (22 February 2006). "Anita O'Day: Indestructible!". All About Jazz. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- ^ "John Kelly Colaianni". Legacy. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
External links
edit- John Colianni at IMDb
- John Colianni discography at Discogs