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Julian Shore

Julian Shore has been called “a pianist/composer who beyond the obvious elegance of his playing has a clear sense of the bigger artistic picture” (Peter Hum, Ottowa Times). An "extremely precocious, serious musician” (JAZZIZ) he "riffs and waxes with a sense of space usually reserved for more veteran players." (DownBeat)

From Narragansett, Rhode Island, Shore grew up listening to his father playing Bach on his home piano and would often sing along as a toddler. After starting piano lessons at a young age he began studies with famed educator Hal Crook as a teenager. Shortly thereafter Shore was awarded a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music where he entered in Fall 2005. During his time there, under the mentorship of Danilo Perez, he performed in a young musicians ensemble in the Panama Jazz Festival, learning from Wayne Shorter, Brian Blade and many others while there. He graduated in 2009 and shortly after moving to New York, had a brief stint with singer Gretchen Parlato, touring with her band in early 2010 and then performing at the Stockholm Jazz Festival with her later that year. Since then he has continued to appear as both leader and sideman in New York where he is based, and across the globe. He has had the opportunity to perform or record with musicians such as Gretchen Parlato, Ferenc Nemeth, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Gilad Hekselman, Chris Cheek, Kendrick Scott, Mark Giuliana among many others.

His debut record "Filaments" which features Kurt Rosenwinkel was released to critical acclaim in 2012. He new record "Which Way Now" featuring a slew of young stars in Gilad Hekselman, Dayna Stephens, Colin Stranahan and many more is slated for release Feb. 12 2016.

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Album Review

Dave Stryker: As We Are

Read "As We Are" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci


One of the few good things about coming late to a party is that you don't have to start the conversation. The guests are there, drinks have been served, and one way or another, a tone—or several—has been set. All you have to do is blend in. Sometimes it is easy. Other times it is not.As We Are is already established near the top of the jazz charts. It has been reviewed, and reviewed very well on All ...

6
Album Review

Dave Stryker: As We Are

Read "As We Are" reviewed by Kyle Simpler


Pat Metheny has a section of his website entitled “Pat Recommends," where he discusses jazz guitarists whom he believes are “making the best music of their careers" on their recent recordings. Dave Stryker is one of the musicians Metheny mentions, and this is certainly an accurate assessment. Dave Stryker has established himself as one of the foremost guitarists in jazz, and with As We Are, he adds another important contribution to his discography. Stryker has a phenomenal work ...

6
Album Review

Julian Shore: Where We Started

Read "Where We Started" reviewed by Troy Dostert


A pianist of uncommon sensitivity and graceful temperament, Julian Shore crafts music with atmosphere and feeling, aiming for emotional depth rather than settling for typical jazz devices. On Where We Started, his third release, he offers eight well-honed tracks which are both evocative and nuanced; while they might not win over the uninitiated in a crowded club, they offer plenty of introspective delights to listeners prepared to settle in with the music. Joined by a fine ensemble, Shore ...

Album Review

Julian Shore: Which Way Now?

Read "Which Way Now?" reviewed by Vincenzo Roggero


L'inizio è promettente. Archi che aprono gentilmente le danze, sinuosi e senza smancerie, accordi di pianoforte che introducono la melodia, il dialogo tra le parti intimista, ricco di suggestioni, evocativo, con piccole anomalie che esaltano l'armonioso incedere complessivo. Poi Wich Way Now si incanala verso un'esercizio di stile. Tutto perfettamente calibrato, la precisione di un orologio svizzero, nessuna sbavatura, nessuna concessione all'imprevisto e alla sorpresa. Musicisti impeccabili, sonorità che non disturbano l'orecchio, dosi di zucchero e miele ...

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Album Review

Julian Shore: Which Way Now?

Read "Which Way Now?" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


If the jazz world decided to elect a single questioning phrase to sum up its craft, this album title would be a great candidate. With three words and a single punctuation mark, the very heart of jazz--a music of infinite decision(s), not indecision, as some may (mis)read that--is laid out for all to see. Those who operate in the jazz orbit are constantly searching, peering at the unknown and exploring the recesses of nature, body, and mind. Pianist Julian Shore, ...

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Extended Analysis

Julian Shore: Filaments

Read "Julian Shore: Filaments" reviewed by Dave Wayne


There is nothing wrong with mellow jazz. As long as distance can be maintained from the hackneyed, dialed-in feel of smooth jazz, it can be a refreshing change of pace from the intensity and analytical focus of a lot of modern art music, jazz or otherwise. Listening to pianist Julian Shore's Filaments, there's the sense that he set out to craft music easy on the ears without compromising any of his personal artistic values. The opening “Grey Light, Green Lily" ...

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“Filaments is an assured, organic debut from a pianist/composer who beyond the obvious elegance of his playing has a clear sense of the bigger artistic picture.” - Peter Hum, Ottawa Citizen

“There literally isn’t a bad song on it. It’s a step in an auspicious direction: let’s hope there’s more where this came from.” -Lucid Culture

“A fluid player with a sure touch and modernist appeal... his solos are clean and graceful and he gives his band generous room that encourages sparkling interplay... Shore is definitely one to watch.” - Nick Bewsey, ICON

Primary Instrument

Piano

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

As We Are

Strikezone Records
2021

buy

Where We Started

Tone Rogue Records
2020

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Which Way Now?

Tone Rogue Records
2016

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Julian Shore:...

Tone Rogue Records
2013

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Which Way Now

Tone Rogue Records
0

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Which Way Now

From: Which Way Now
By Julian Shore

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