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Bill Gerhardt
Pianist / Composer / Arranger / Band Leader Bill Gerhardt
Gerhardt's compositional style in any genre he explores is uniquely recognizable. Balancing challenging harmonic and rhythmic aspects with natural melodic ideas, listeners are instantly drawn into the atmosphere regardless of the complexity. Equally, his ability to weave story lines with pianistic improvisations communicates in the most direct fashion. A visionary band leader, Bill customizes his composing and knack for combining the personalities and strengths of his band mates into seamless units. He has been acknowledged by his colleagues for these attributes for years and as exposure to a wider audience grows, so does the appreciation for his art. Bill Gerhardt, is a prolific composer and arranger. He teaches privately and in workshop settings or masterclasses. He is a founding member of the Jazz Composers Forum. Bill has traveled the world playing jazz music with the top musicians in the field. He has played most recently with Tim Horner, Francois Moutin, Marc Mommaas, Jed Levy, Jeff Brillinger, Joe Locke and Ingrid Jensen, Jackie Allen and Kendra Shank to name a few . He has two CD's Bill Gerhardt and Cotangent "Stained Glass" and "Thrive" coming out on the Steeplechase Label this year and two CD's "Cotangent" and Tony Moreno and Trio just released on the Art of Life Label.
Bill Gerhardt was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. His interest in music was encouraged by his father who also played piano. He began taking lessons at age nine. In high school, he was a member of the jazz ensemble under the direction of Bill Ewing. He continued his studies with Herb Drury in St. Louis and later attended North Texas State University. After touring the United States for five years, Bill settled in North Carolina and formed a quartet with bassist Ron Brendle to focus on original music. Their group won the 1 st prize at the 1988 down beat Music Fest and Bill was recognized for his composing and arranging. In 1989 he moved to Amsterdam, Netherlands. He performed throughout Europe, Asia and Africa and recorded with various projects as both leader and sideman. His last CD with Pere Soto ‘Particular Vernacular' included guest-performances from David Liebman and Dave Douglas. Since 1999 Bill has lived in New York City where he has recorded with such artists as Billy Higgins, George Mraz, Billy Hart and Tom Harrell. He is a member of a nine-piece group, The Staring Into the Sun Orchestra and a trio featuring Michel Gentile on flute and Masa Kamaguchi on bass as well as leading his own quartet.
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Bill Gerhardt: Momentum
by George Kanzler
It takes uncommon knowledge of jazz history to begin a solo piano album with a dedication to Herbie Nichols. One for Herbie" is only one of the delightful surprises from pianist Bill Gerhardt on this winning solo recital, sumptuously recorded on a 10-foot Fazioli grand piano at the SteepleChase studios in Europe. Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Gerhardt may be known to Big Apple jazz fans for his work in Cotangent, a quartet he co-leads with the Dutch (NY-based) saxophonist ...
read moreBill Gerhardt: Stained Glass
by George Kanzler
Although Cotangent plays gigs in New York, the band is also a cogent example of the fecundity to be found in regional and international jazz. Pianist Bill Gerhardt and bassist Mike Holstein are charter members of the Jazz Composers Forum, an organization based in Asheville, North Carolina. Tenor saxophonist Marc Mommaas, now Big Apple-based, hails from the Netherlands, where Gerhardt met him during the pianist's decade-long sojourn in Amsterdam. Tim Horner is a veteran drummer on the New York jazz ...
read moreTony Moreno, Bill Gerhardt, Mike Holstein-"Trio Music" Art of Life Records Al1028-2 CD
Source:
All About Jazz
Tony Moreno, Bill Gerhardt, Mike Holstein: Trio Music Art of Life Records AL1028-2 CD
Now available for ordering via our web site's secure server
Art of Life Records is proud to present the recording debut of New York-based drummer/leader Tony Moreno. Joining Tony on Trio Music are Bill Gerhardt on piano and Mike Holstein on acoustic bass. The album features ten original compositions written by each of the band members. Trio Music was recorded and mixed by Tom Hamilton at ...
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Bill Gerhardt's Cotangent Quartet Thursday November 2nd at Sweet Rhythm
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
The Jazz Composers Forum Presents: pre-release concert Thrive
Bill Gerhardt's Cotangent Quartet Bill Gerhardt - piano/composition Marc Mommaas - sax Mike Holstein - bass Tim Horner - drums With special guests: Ron Horton- trumpet Mark Reboul- waterphone
Thursday November 2nd, 2006 at Sweet Rhythm 88 Seventh Avenue South (Between Grove and Bleecker Streets) New York, NY ...
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Bill Gerhardt's Cotangent Quartet Thursday November 2nd at Sweet Rhythm
Source:
Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
The Jazz Composers Forum Presents: pre-release concert Thrive
Bill Gerhardt's Cotangent Quartet
Bill Gerhardt - piano/composition Marc Mommaas - sax Mike Holstein - bass Tim Horner - drums With special guests: Ron Horton - trumpet Mark Reboul - waterphone
Thursday November 2nd, 2006 at Sweet Rhythm 88 Seventh Avenue South (Between Grove and Bleecker Streets) New York, NY ...
read more
“The most outstanding thing about Cotangent is the sense of selflessness with which everyone in the group plays. There is one unified goal: to serve the music. An amazing band. This music NEEDS to be heard!” -Joe Locke, New York City
Primary Instrument
Piano
Willing to teach
Advanced only
Clinic/Workshop Information
Group Theory Workshop Composition Workshop Small Ensemble Workshop
Music
Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson