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Brian Trainor

A melodic pianist/composer who was born and raised in Trenton, NJ, Brian Trainor has loved both jazz and classical since childhood. Trainor's interest in music was greatly encouraged by his father, Francis Trainor, Sr., a singer who had a "day gig" as a meat cuttter and saw to it that his son was studying classical piano as early as kindergarten. Trainor (whose influences range from Bill Evans to Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell) was still a child when he studied jazz piano with Trenton pianist Alan Bosley, and he also had many conversations about jazz with his his close friend and neighbor, alto saxman Richie Cole. It was Cole who introduced Trainor to another alto great, Phil Woods, with whom the pianist began studying at the age of 13. Trainor was still a teen-ager when he met his hero Evans, who wasn't teaching formally but took the time to give him advice and feedback. In the late 1960s, Trainor played some live dates with Booker Ervin and Jack DeJohnette. Though Trainor didn't become a huge name in jazz in the 1970s or 1980s, he played quite a few American gigs and spent many months touring Europe. In the 1990s, Trainor has led his own piano trio (which includes bassist Vince Fay and drummer Bill Jones) and has been featured as a sideman on some French Riviera dates by Philadelphia tenor saxophonist Bootsie Barnes. Trainor's albums as a leader include 1992's Wind, Water, Stone on Tri Art, 1994's Portraits on Candid and 1996's Monk & Me on Summit Records.


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167
Album Review

Brian Trainor: Tangled Roots

Read "Tangled Roots" reviewed by Jim Santella


For the sake of love and genuine friendship, Brian Trainor composed this suite of mellow tunes. Each depicts one special aspect of a specific personal relationship. At the same time, Trainor’s impressionism allows the listener to share in those themes. Dancing a tango, riding bicycles together, sharing quiet moments, discussing world affairs and personal thoughts: these are the sources that we can all appreciate. The trio establishes each theme clearly. Trainor lights a few fires and expands several pieces beyond ...

240
Album Review

Brian Trainor: Monk & Me

Read "Monk & Me" reviewed by Mark Corroto


For a few years in the early 90s I ran a coffeehouse that weekly (some say weakly) presented local jazz acts. From fusion to solo piano, I had but one requirement of any musician. Play at least one Thelonious Monk tune per night and the gig was yours. Deviously simple, Monk’s music always separates the talented from the fake. I regularly challenged them by requesting “Epistrophy, “Evidence,” and “Trinkle-Tinkle.” Most beginners choose the Blues, “Straight, No Chaser.” Chicken! Monk, to ...

202
Album Review

Brian Trainor: Monk And Me

Read "Monk And Me" reviewed by Jim Santella


Pianist Brian Trainor salutes Thelonious Monk by interpreting four of the legendary artist’s compositions and supplying several of his own. Choosing to work with his piano trio on most tracks (bassist Vince Fay and drummer Bill Jones), the native of Trenton, New Jersey catches fire with a percussive approach that honors both Monk’s quirky piano style and his unpredictable compositions.

Guest trumpeter John Swana opts for electronic valve instrument on “Hackensack." Fitting the role and range of a floating soprano ...

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118

Performance / Tour

Brian Trainor / Steve Marcus Quartet

Brian Trainor / Steve Marcus Quartet

Source: All About Jazz


Music

Song For Island Girl

From: Why Try to Change Me Now?
By Brian Trainor

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