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Jason Reolon
www.jasonreolon.com
Jason Reolon, celebrated South African-born jazz pianist and composer, has a solid reputation as one of the country’s finest talents. In all his musical undertakings, Reolon never fails to move, inspire and challenge audiences with his fresh and dynamic approach to his art. Complex, groovy, soulful, his music transcends the boundaries of jazz to reach new and exciting realms in the world of sound.
As the son of jazz songbird, Josie Gien and the South African drumming legend Bobby Gien, who performed with the famous Ronnie Scott Trio for half a decade, Reolon’s world has always been centered around music. Reolon’s love of and exposure to jazz throughout his life led him to complete his BMus Degree in Jazz Performance and Composition studies at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in 2001, the same internationally esteemed institution at which he currently holds a permanent lecturing post.
In his final year of study, Reolon won the South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) National Overseas Scholarship Competition for Jazz Piano, an honour which took him to New York in 2004 to further his studies and career. This experience had a great impact on Reolon as he immersed himself in all that the New York jazz scene had to offer. Brad Mehldau, Sonny Rollins, Monty Alexander, Diana Krall, Richard Bona, Mulgrew Miller, Bob Mintzer and Chic Corea were just a few of the greats whose live performances had a lasting effect on Reolon and his playing style. Returning to South Africa, Reolon put his newfound inspiration into practice, collaborating extensively with local and international artists alike over the next 7 years.
During his career, Reolon has formed and been part of numerous notable groups:
The Jason Reolon Trio, featuring Wesley Rustin on bass and Heinrich Goosen on drums, truly reflects the complexity and diversity of Reolon’s musical influences. African flavours, montuno rhythms and lyrical melodies culminate in an eclectic fusion, forming a rich and cohesive music style which takes audiences on a spell-binding journey. The trio released its first album “Off the Record” in 2007 followed by a second, all- original album entitled “Outline” in 2011. The trio also recently collaborated with renowned South African jazz pianist Andrew Ford and his trio in the live DVD recording of their show “Double Standards” for the 10th anniversary of the Jazz at the Nassau concert series.
Similarly, Breakfast Included, which Reolon currently manages together with drummer Shaun Michau, is a highly sought after and popular South African Jazz band that performs extensively across the country. Co-founded by Reolon in 1999, this celebrated ensemble has enjoyed extensive media coverage as well as its fair share of awards over the years, including the Old Mutual Encounters trophy for Best Jazz Band in the Western Cape in 2000 and 2001. The band has recorded two albums, namely “Breakfast Included” (2001) and “Nightwork Ahead” (2005). www.breakfastincluded.co.za
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Jason Reolon: Raising the Bar
by Seton Hawkins
South Africa may well be in the midst of its third jazz renaissance. While the late 1950s saw the rise of legendary artists such as Kippie Moeketsi, Abdullah Ibrahim, and Philip Tabane, the early 1990s marked the emergence of trailblazers Moses Taiwa Molelekwa and Zim Ngqawana. The past five years have born witness to a surge of local jazz talent, as charismatic young musicians draw upon a wide range of inspirations and set a new precedent for instrumental prowess and ...
read moreSouth African Pianist Jason Reolon Interviewed at All About Jazz...And More!
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All About Jazz
South Africa may well be in the midst of its third jazz renaissance. While the late 1950s saw the rise of legendary artists such as Kippie Moeketsi, Abdullah Ibrahim, and Philip Tabane, the early 1990s marked the emergence of trailblazers Moses Taiwa Molelekwa and Zim Ngqawana. The past five years have born witness to a surge of local jazz talent, as charismatic young musicians draw upon a wide range of inspirations and set a new precedent for instrumental prowess and ...
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Outline by the Jason Reolon Trio proves we have an artist who would be appreciated anywhere in the world. It’s the height of sophisticated piano playing so popular these days. It eschews such styles as Bud Powell’s or Oscar Peterson’s; instead, it moves into the domain of Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett and, possibly, Fred Hersch. There might even be a trace of Abdullah Ibrahim in, for instance, “Mother City Blues”.
The nine originals are classy. The title track immediately captures the listener with powerful chords, before moving into inventive single-finger lines moving over a rolling rhythm section, and a little gem of a drum solo
Primary Instrument
Piano
Credentials/Background
Lecturer of Jazz Piano Studies at the University of Cape Town (UCT), South African College of Music (SACM)
Photos
Music
Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson
Outline
From: OutlineBy Jason Reolon