Primary Instrument: Piano
Pianist and composer Noah Haidu is evidence that 21st century jazz can be adventurous, fresh and swing hard; that an exciting, modern pianist can play memorable melodies and soulful grooves. His powerful new Posi-Tone Records CD SLIPSTREAM is garnering impressive reviews and radio play: write-ups in JazzTimes, the Financial Times, Downbeat, Allaboutjazz.com, and 8 weeks in the top 50 national Jazzweek charts. Noah has also gained the attention of the jazz world through live appearances or recordings with heavyweights such as Mike Stern, Jeremy Pelt, Ambrose Akinmusire, Benny Golson, Jon Irabagon, Eddie Henderson, Billy Hart, Duane Eubanks, and Winard Harper. His ensembles appear regularly at New York City jazz venues such as Smalls Jazz Club and Kitano Jazz.
Born in Charlottesville, Virginia, Noah was exposed early on to all kinds of music: classical, avant-garde, rock, and jazz. His high school years were spent in New Jersey and Los Angeles, where he was increasingly drawn to jazz and blues piano. His father, an avid music fan, took him to countless concerts, lessons, and band rehearsals and his first jazz shows. After graduating, Noah entered the Jazz Program at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. He moved to Brooklyn, New York after two years, eager to begin working in the heart of the music scene. It wasn’t long before he was playing gigs with his trio, backing up singers and horn players, even playing keyboards with hip-hop and funk groups. Though he was constantly performing Noah continued to challenge himself by composing his own music and practicing whenever he got the chance. His mentors included Kenny Barron, Bruce Barth, Barry Harris, and David Hazeltine.
Noah’s first record date was a 2006 CD with Native Soul entitled ROUGH JAZZ, released on the Apria Record label. This led to gigs at important Manhattan venues such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, Sweet Rhythm, and Smalls, giving Noah wider exposure and setting the stage for many of his current collaborations and busy performance schedule. Now one of New York’s leading young jazz pianists, Noah combines new rhythmic ideas, harmonic sophistication, spontaneity, soul, and swing into his own unique approach. He is often away from home performing as a bandleader and as a sought-after sideman. Recent highlights include a weekend engagement featuring Noah and Trumpeter Jeremy Pelt at Washington DC ‘s Twins Jazz Club, the recording HERE, THERE… where Haidu performs as a guest sideman along with guitar genius Mike Stern, a week with Native Soul at Dizzy’s Club Coca- Cola followed by performances in South America, and gigs abroad from Oslo, to Istanbul, to Guayachill, Ecuador. In addition to his own CD SLIPSTREAM, he has been heard frequently on SOUL STEP the popular second release from Native Soul.
Noah completed his BFA at the New School University and Master of Music degree at The State university of New York. He lives in Brooklyn, New York. His primary goal is to perform with his own groups as much as possible and to continue developing his voice as a pianist and composer.
“Noah Haidu’s strong debut CD delivers springy rhythms, atmospheric themes and well-crafted piano lines that rest seductively on the underlying harmonies.” --Mike Hobart / Financial Times, 6/21/11
“...the cat can play his butt off” --R.J.DeLuke / www.allaboutjazz.com , 11/21/11
Noah Haidu swings with seasoned authority...and stretches in daring fashion on a blistering trio rendition of Cole Porter's Just One of Those Things.” --Bill Milkowski / Jazz Times, August 2011
“Haidu’s compositions progress with a forthright liveliness... beautifully wrought”. --Bill Meyer / Downbeat, July 2011
“a striking first album, full of superb, straight-ahead jazz...” --Bruce Lindsay / www.allaboutjazz.com , 4/14/11
“...some of the best group jazz you can hear in 2011... It’s affirming to hear a pianist who’s chock full of ideas.” --Nick Bewsey / ICON Magazine, May 2011
“swings with authority and absolute divine purpose... he is without a doubt the real deal.” --Rob Young / www.theurband ux.wordpress.com, 4/12/2011
“Listen to this with good headphones because this young lion piano man brings a bunch of stars together and together they hit it right from the first byte. A killer straight ahead date...Haidu is a real comer that’s sure to turn into a bright star. It smokes. You need to check it out.” --Chris Spector / www.midwestrecord.com, 3/20/2011
“That brings me to the album's greatest strength: Haidu's compositions Never falling back on clichés and never venturing so far out that he loses the listener, Haidu occupies that sweet spot where melodic adventurousness meets harmonic elegance. And, as a pianist, he is every bit as exciting as the great players in his band.” --Ron Netsky / Rochester City Newspaper, 5/24/11
“The pianist really dances over the active rhythm section...blends the influences of Monk, Herbie Hancock and Geri Allen into a most funky concoction... Haidu can certainly play” --Richard B. Kamins / (Step Tempest), 3/22/11
“This one's going to knock you out... a chance to hear Haidu's strength and majesty on piano...” --Marc Myers / www.jazzwax.com, 3/27/11
“The music is energetic, straight ahead jazz joy. I especially like Haidu’s style of playing... his solos are gorgeous.” --Ken Blanchard / www.jazznotesdp.blogspot.com 4/29/11
“He sets up the rhythmic direction of the music with his chordal statements, supports the hornlines... and solos with passion and purpose. He even seems to develop a telepathic rapport with drummer John Davis, as both seem to lock in with one another and turn up the heat during Haidu's solo spot.” --Dan Bilawsky / www.Allaboutjazz.com, 3/30/2011
Native Soul, Soul Step (Talking Drum Records, 2011)
Mauricio de Sousa, Here, There, (Pulsa Music, 2010)
Native Soul, Rough Jazz, (Apria, 2006)
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