Laszlo Gardony

Laszlo Gardony

Musicians | Instrument: Piano | Location: Boston

The trio of pianist Laszlo Gardony, bassist John Lockwood, and drummer Yoron Israel is among the most seasoned, soulful, sensitive, and swinging groups around.

—Kevin Lowenthal, Boston Globe

Updated: June 20, 2023

Internationally acclaimed Boston-based jazz pianist and composer Laszlo Gardony is one of the most expressive and technically skilled pianists working in jazz today. “A formidable improviser who lives in the moment" (JazzTimes), Gardony has performed in 27 countries and released 14 albums: ten albums on the Sunnyside label, two on Antilles, and one on Avenue Jazz during his distinguished, decades-long career. Winner of the Great American Jazz Piano Competition, Gardony has been noted for his "fluid pianism" by The New York Times. The legendary Dave Brubeck called him "a great pianist."

His 14th album as a leader, “Close Connection” was released in December, 2022 on Sunnyside Records. The album features his trio of 20 years: Yoron Israel (drums) and John Lockwood (bass.)

Laszlo’s performances convey the joy of inspired creation, audience connection, and moving spontaneous improvisations. Gardony's concerts are one-of-a-kind performances drawing from deep feeling, prodigious technique, and a playful curiosity that thrives on interpreting each unique moment. His critically acclaimed 2019 live solo piano album, “La Marseillaise” features his compositions, his arrangements of standards, a classic Italian song, a re-imagination of an iconic French revolutionary song and spontaneously created pieces. New York City Jazz Record says of the album: “‘La Marseillaise’ is a grand organic take on creating music in the moment.” JazzTimes states: “The improvised pieces are bright and majestic examples of on-the-fly creativity at its most developed.”

His previous solo album Serious Play (Sunnyside) was named one of the Best Jazz Albums of 2017 by DownBeat Magazine: "Serious Play combines spontaneity and intent. Improvised in the studio, it's a harmonious, emotionally intense whole that sounds like a concert rather than an arbitrary collection of tunes. No matter how busy Gardony becomes, there's a stillness at the center of his music, a distinctive amalgam of central European folk strains, majestic classical piano and improvisational fearlessness." Both Serious Play and Gardony's 2015 live sextet album Life In Real Time were named by the Boston Globe as one of the "10 Best Jazz Releases of the Year."

Gardony has performed and/or recorded with artists including Dave Holland, Miroslav Vitous, Bob Moses, Mick Goodrick, Yoron Israel, John Lockwood, Jamey Haddad, Bill Pierce, Don Braden, and Stan Strickland. In addition to his own recordings on Sunnyside, Antilles and Avenue, his compositions, arrangements and playing have been featured on jazz releases from Blue Note, Accurate, Rounder, and Ronja Music. Besides being an exceptionally successful band leader, Laszlo is also a sought-after sideman. Other artists who featured him on their recordings include drummer Yoron Israel, flutist, Christian Artmann, guitarist Garrison Fewell,  Matt Glaser's Wayfaring Strangers, and singer Shelley Neill.

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Album Review

Christian Artmann: The Middle of Life

Read "The Middle of Life" reviewed by Troy Dostert


As he continues to do his part in maintaining the relevance of the flute in contemporary jazz, Christian Artmann also provides plenty of food for thought in his wide-ranging, thoughtfully constructed compositions. There is a contemplative dimension to his vision, evident on Our Story (Sunnyside, 2018), which explored the interdependency of human relationships through the lens of his Buddhist faith; and it is also present on his latest release, which involves taking stock of this moment in the planet's fragile ...

5
Album Review

Laszlo Gardony: Close Connection

Read "Close Connection" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


The close connection between pianist Laszlo Gardony, bassist John Lockwood and drummer Yoron Israel is clear and present in the music they produce together. With more than two decades of shared experiences on the bandstand and a fair number of very fine albums to boot, this crew thinks, breathes and moves as one. For this, their latest go-round following Life in Real Time (Sunnyside, 2015), and Gardony's post-pandemic return to studio recording, they split focus between originals from the leader's ...

2
Liner Notes

Yoron Israel: Visions – Tribute to Stevie Wonder

Read "Yoron Israel: Visions – Tribute to Stevie Wonder" reviewed by Howard Mandel


One of the enlightening insights drummer and bandleader Yoron Israel brings to Visions, The Music of Stevie Wonder is that Wonder's hits are true jazz compositions, with inherent swing and groove. Not only have the easy-to-love melodies of Stevland Hardaway Morris (b. May 13, 1950) become staples of the modern American soundtrack, they naturally trigger our most fundamentally human physical response: the graceful, unified movement of body and soul. The rhythmic impulse Yoron Israel and each member of ...

Album Review

Laszlo Gardony: Serious Play

Read "Serious Play" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi


Questo solo piano di Laszlo Gardony segue l'approccio usato nel 2013 in Clarity, quando, dopo vent'anni, riprese a incidere un disco senza accompagnatori (Changing Standards, Sunnyside 1993). Trasferitosi negli Stati Uniti alla fine degli anni ottanta per frequentare il Berklee College of Music (di cui poi è divenuto insegnante), il pianista ungherese realizzò alla fine di quel decennio alcuni dischi di rilievo, guidando un trio comprendente Miroslav Vitous (The Secret, Antilles 1986) e un'altro con Dave Holland e Bob Moses ...

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Album Review

Laszlo Gardony: Serious Play

Read "Serious Play" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


The beauty of personal expression may be the greatest and most effective balm to soothe our hearts in troubled times. That's the message that pianist Laszlo Gardony gifts us with Serious Play. Following the approach used on Clarity (Sunnyside, 2013), Gardony delves deep into his own subconscious in real time to create a statement that's both comforting and weighty in tone. The bulk of the material presented herein was spontaneously composed, giving Gardony a chance to allow ...

Album Review

Laszlo Gardony: Life in Real Time

Read "Life in Real Time" reviewed by Maurizio Zerbo


Questa incisione conferma il progresso artistico di Laszlo Gardony, particolarmente sotto il profilo degli equilibri sonori. Arrivato al quattordicesimo album, il pianista espande per l'occasione la sua tavolozza timbrica, riservata fino ad oggi all'esplorazione delle possibilità espressive del trio con pianoforte-basso-batteria. Cambiano quindi le dinamiche e le strategie in questo concerto bostoniano, con l'apporto di tre ben noti sassofonisti. Grazie anche alla dimensione live, ritroviamo quell'intenso e coinvolgente gioco di relazioni che solo un bel concerto jazz può offrire. In ...

5
Album Review

Laszlo Gardony: Life In Real Time

Read "Life In Real Time" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


Life In Real Time is somewhat unique in that it's in the mold of Laszlo Gardony's previous recordings and a departure from the norm for that pianist of note. And just how is that possible? That's easy to answer: Gardony hews to his norm by working with his longtime trio mates--bassist John Lockwood and drummer Yoron Israel--and he shies away from it by adding three saxophonists to the mix. In doing so, he highlights his musical relationship with Israel and ...

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Performance / Tour

The Laszlo Gardony Trio At Mezzrow On May 16 - One Night Only! 7:30pm & 9:00pm - 2nd Set Added By Popular Demand!

The Laszlo Gardony Trio At Mezzrow On May 16 - One Night Only! 7:30pm & 9:00pm - 2nd Set Added By Popular Demand!

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

Mezzrow Thursday, May 16 at 7:30pm & 9:00pm 2nd Set Added By Popular Demand 163 W. 10th St. Greenwich Village, NY 10014 Phone: 646-476-4346 The Laszlo Gardony Trio with John Lockwood & Yoron Israel Laszlo Gardony (piano / composer) John Lockwood (bass) Yoron Israel (drums) Internationally acclaimed Boston-based jazz pianist and composer Laszlo Gardony is one of the most expressive and technically skilled pianists ...

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Performance / Tour

The Laszlo Gardony Trio With John Lockwood & Yoron Israel At Mezzrow On May 16 - One Night Only!

The Laszlo Gardony Trio With John Lockwood & Yoron Israel At Mezzrow On May 16 - One Night Only!

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

The Laszlo Gardony Trio with John Lockwood & Yoron Israel at Mezzrow on May 16! One Night Only! Mezzrow 163 W. 10th St. New York, NY 10014 646-476-4346 Laszlo Gardony: piano / composer John Lockwood: bass Yoron Israel: drums Internationally acclaimed jny: Boston-based jazz pianist and composer Laszlo Gardony is one of the most expressive and technically skilled pianists working in jazz today." A formidable improviser who lives in the moment" (JazzTimes), ...

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Performance / Tour

Highland Jazz Series in Newton Presents the Laszlo Gardony Quartet on Saturday, December 3

Highland Jazz Series in Newton Presents the Laszlo Gardony Quartet on Saturday, December 3

Source: MassJazz: Jazz in Massachusetts

The Highland Jazz Series is presenting the Laszlo Gardony Quartet to perform Rhapsody in G on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 8:00 p.m. at Newton South High School in Newton. Tickets are $18 in advance ($17 for seniors) and $20 at the Door, and can be purchased online. Students pay $10. Laszlo, a noted jazz composer and pianist, is joined by Stan Strickland on sax, Yoron Israel on drums and Sean Farias on bass. For a full schedule of the ...

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Performance / Tour

Pianist Laszlo Gardony Performs at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on November 2

Pianist Laszlo Gardony Performs at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on November 2

Source: MassJazz: Jazz in Massachusetts


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Recording

Laszlo Gardony Gets into Odd-Time Signatures and Pianistic Singularity on "Signature Time"

Laszlo Gardony Gets into Odd-Time Signatures and Pianistic Singularity on "Signature Time"

Source: Gapplegate Music Review by Grego Edwards

While you've been doing what ever you've been doing Hungarian-born pianist-composer-bandleader Laszlo Gardony has just completed his ninth album. Signature Time (Sunnyside 4011) is the name of it, which rightfully suggests that this is Laszlo's personal stylistic statement, and also that time signatures will be a factor. Both are quite true. It's a goodly trio part of the time with Laszlo at the piano, John Lockwood on bass, and Yoron Israel at the drums. Tenorist Stan Strickland productively cameos with ...

127

Recording

Laszlo Gardony - Signature Time (2011)

Laszlo Gardony - Signature Time (2011)

Source: Something Else!

Hungarian-born pianist Laszlo Gardony is an accomplished musician and composer, having graduated from Berklee and serving as a professor there for a number of years. He's mingled with many of the best jazz has to offer: Dave Holland, Miroslav Vitous, David “Fathead" Newman, Randy Brecker, Dave Liebman and John Blake are all name artists he's worked with, some of them extensively. Last month came Gardony's ninth album, Signature Time, and while the title might suggest a bunch of experiments in ...

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Performance / Tour

Pianist Laszlo Gardony Performs With His Trio On Wednesday, April 2, At 8:30 P.M. At Ryles

Pianist Laszlo Gardony Performs With His Trio On Wednesday, April 2, At 8:30 P.M.  At  Ryles

Source: All About Jazz

WITH YORON ISRAEL AND JOHN LOCKWOOD

Acclaimed Boston pianist/composer Laszlo Gardony performs original compositions and arrangements of standards from his upcoming CD Ever Before Ever After (Sunnyside) - recorded live at WGBH radio - on Wednesday April 2nd at Ryles Jazz Club, 212 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, MA. Performance begins at 8:30 PM, tickets are $12. Info/Tickets (617) 876-9330, www.rylesjazz.com.

Gardony will be performing with fellow Berklee College of Music faculty John Lockwood (bass) and Yoron Israel (drums), both featured on ...

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"Great pianist."
—Dave Brubeck

"...jazz is a very universal music and Laszlo is a great musician, and the truth is that this music goes beyond any kind of boundaries, cultures, or nationalities and good musicians meet on a common ground. We played together very well the first time and I always enjoy playing with Laszlo because he is a great musician and that's all you need."
—Dave Liebman

"From the first time I heard Laszlo I've been very impressed by his playing...He's one of the best musicians that we've ever had here at Berklee."
—Gary Burton

"The trio of pianist Laszlo Gardony, bassist John Lockwood, and drummer Yoron Israel is among the most seasoned, soulful, sensitive, and swinging groups around."
—Kevin Lowenthal, BOSTON GLOBE

"His genius is in making complex ideas simple — another kind of liberation "
—Jon Garelick, BOSTON PHOENIX

"Now in 'marrying odd meters/changing time signatures with the sound and the groove of gospel, funk, jazz and rock,' [Gardony] has made a jazz piano trio disc that part of you - guaranteed - is going to want to dance to. It might not be the ordinary danceworthy parts but that's how joyous and primordially infectious this disc is. Who'd ever have thought that Laszlo Gardony would turn out to be the ultra-hip 21st century Ramsey Lewis?"
—Jeff Simon, BUFFALO NEWS

“Gardony’s muse is unpretentious yet artistic by design … Sure enough, it’s an all-encompassing musical statement that beckons repeated listens. Don’t let this gem pass you by…”
—Glenn Astarita, EJAZZNEWS.COM

“No one has a better feeling for mixing strong grooves and melodic lyricism than pianist Laszlo Gardony.”
—Jon Garelick, BOSTON PHOENIX

“A piano man for these times, he marries the future with tradition and sprinkles his own flavor on the proceedings for a killer set that’s sure to impress. This is the place to stop for genre fans looking for something new to blow their ears wide open.”
— MIDWEST RECORD.COM

“The trio is always on the same page emotionally, mentally and physically through the musical paragraphs … Gardony incorporates music from different cultures in his compositions and the result is a splendid melting pot that displays harmonious expressions with gentle sonic compressors.”
— Susan Frances, JAZZREVIEW.COM

"Armed with a piano style that encompasses Bill Evans''s elegance, Herbie Hancock's drive and Keith Jarrett's passion, Gardony's music, like the title track he composed, creates a meditative state conducive to the attainment of man's most enduring and timeless aspirations."
—Eugene Holley Jr., VILLAGE VOICE / NEW YORK TIMES REVIEWER

Recommended by Village Voice Jazz Consumer Guide: A (Highest Rating)
—Francis Davis, VILLAGE VOICE

“A consistently inventive player who combines an ear for melody with a strong rhythmic sense that grabs the attention of even those who normally resistant to jazz.”
—Larry Katz, BOSTON HERALD

“(Gardony) strikes a nice balance between being genuinely expressive and readily accessible on Breakout. **** (four stars)”
—Bill Milkowski, DOWN BEAT

“Buoyant good fun...An aggressive improviser ready and willing to take chances.”
—Bob Young, JAZZIZ

“The vision in his versions indicates how far he has come in mastering jazz’s major challenge, the transformation of the tradition through personal expression.”
—Bob Blumenthal, BOSTON GLOBE

"Gardony serves notice that he has arrived – not only as an original voice who has fully integrated his disparate influences, but as a player who spans the conservatory and the gutbucket without a hint of strain".
—Kevin Convey, BOSTON HERALD

“A new champion...His keyboard touch is impeccable as displayed in this compelling set of original compositions. RECOMMENDED (The Secret)”
—Jeff Levenson, BILLBOARD

“A sparkling jazz trio date...he blends the diatonic lyricism of Keith Jarrett with the modal and polyrhythmic vitality of his native land.”
—KEYBOARD MAGAZINE

“Immensely gifted Hungarian-born pianist...a classicist with a darkly romantic streak...this music somehow insinuates itself into the listener’s psyche.”
—Gene Kalbacher, HOT HOUSE

“Combining in fresh, sweepingly powerful and gorgeously lyrical ways unlike any other current jazz pianist...Gardony is treasured...for his percussive density, tireless inventiveness and consistent excitement.”
—Jeff Simon, BUFFALO NEWS

“Bill Evans to the next level.”
—David Prince, THE NEW MEXICAN

"A superior jazz improviser who infuses his post-bop music with references to his Hungarian folk roots"
—Scott Yanow, ALL MUSIC GUIDE

“Gardony is not afraid to expand the vocabulary of his instrument...sure this is the blues, but it rarely feels this fine.”
—Richard B. Kamins, CADENCE

“His reach runs from Ellington through Monk and Coltrane, and his spins on the material are fascinating - including his hilariously dissonant, Beethovenesque reading of ‘Good King Wenceslas.”
—Gene Santoro, NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
 

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Primary Instrument

Piano

Location

Boston

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

A highly respected piano professor at Berklee College of Music - who also teaches at Harvard University’s Jazz Combo Initiative, - Laszlo Gardony is a master educator. He leads his clinics with skill, conviction, vision, and sensitivity. Students come away inspired, creatively charged and with a deeper understanding of their music. In 2016 Gardony gave a master class at the International Association of Schools of Jazz Conference (IASJ). In 2016 and 2015 he conducted clinics in the Dominican Republic with Marco Pignataro, Managing Director of the Berklee Global Institute. In 2014 he was invited to serve as adjudicator for the Jazz Combo Competition at Harvard. In 2013 he was one of three Berklee professors to be invited to Brazil to give a week of master classes at the Conservatorio Souza Lima. In 2012 he was part of the Berklee All Stars group performing in Germany. In 2002 Laszlo was invited to perform with his trio at the International Association of Jazz Educators Conference. He gave clinics and performed during the 2002 Berklee Scholarship and Audition Tour in Ireland as well. Laszlo holds degrees from the Bela Bartok Conservatory and the Science University in Budapest, as well as the Professional Music Diploma from Berklee College of Music.

Clinic/Workshop Information

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Contact

Publicist

Braithwaite & Katz Communications

Management and booking

Edith Toth / LGJazz    Contact: [email protected]

Music

Irrepressible

From: Close Connection
By Laszlo Gardony

Revolution

From: La Marseillaise
By Laszlo Gardony

Serious Play

From: Serious Play
By Laszlo Gardony

Bourbon Street Boogie

From: Life In Real Time
By Laszlo Gardony