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Tim Lyddon

Pianist/composer Tim Lyddon describes his approach to music as "...uncompromised, what I feel from the heart, drawn from my life's experiences." 

Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett along with impressionism and introspection are key influences and elements in his approach.  Tim began studying piano at nine years old, but took a serious interest in jazz three years later after his family moved to California.  Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson and Bud Powell were his first influences in developing his own natural swing feel.  Tommy Flanagan, Hank Jones, Jarrett and Evans soon followed.  A serious and dedicated student, he studied with Charlie Shoemake and Terry Trotter, and after a two year stint in Las Vegas, he returned to Los Angeles and immersed himself in the jazz scene playing with great musicians such as Dick Berk, Chuck Flores, Sam Most, Bob Summers and Kim Richmond as well as leading his own trio. He recorded two trio projects and also recorded two albums with Stan Kenton trombonist Ray Weigand, as well as various television and movie scores.

After studying classical piano on scholarship with Milton Stern, Tim studied composition and arranging with Spud Murphy, who also taught such luminaries as Oscar Peterson, Gerald Wiggins and Bennie Maupin. Receiving a scholarship from Manhattan School of Music, Tim moved to New York to continue his studies with Byard and Harold Danko, and teaching as well.

He's performed regularly with his own trio in New York and around the East coast.  In addition to bassist Tom Hubbard and drummer Scott Latzky, his trio has also included bassists Tony Marino, Scott Lee and Steve La Spina, and drummers Eliot Zigmund, Jeff Hirschfeld and Tom Rainey.

Jazz pianist Tim Lyddon has recorded and performed extensively since 1979. Lyddon's most consistent output over the years has taken place in the trio format. Starting in 1988, his group released 2 recordings on the Essence jazz label entitled Trio music and Trio music2. His first record for Essence, trio music was released in September 1985. After three rewarding years with Jack Ranelli playing in Lyddons’s regular trio, drummer Kendall Kay joined the band in 1988. The label released another album from Tim Lyddon Trio—trio music, volume 2 in 1990.

In 2000 Essence jazz released "I've Traveled So Far", the highly anticipated followup along with "Shades of People" in 2005. These were both trio outings (NYC) with long time associates bassist Tom Hubbard and drummer Scott Latzky. These were both critically acclaimed works. Dan Karcher of WBGO called "traveled", the best trio cd in recent years"

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118
Album Review

Tim Lyddon: Shades of People

Read "Shades of People" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


Comparisons to Keith Jarrett are certainly not out of order for pianist Tim Lyddon. Comparison to Bill Evans even withstands muster. However, Mr. Lyddon, while introspective in his playing, is not that introspective. The pianist’s previous recording, I’ve Traveled So Far , was well-received in these pages, and with very good reason. Mr. Lyddon is the member of a growing group of pianists who eschew the blues for ballads and perform the latter with an informed and inspired vision. Besides ...

104
Album Review

Tim Lyddon: I've Traveled So Far

Read "I've Traveled So Far" reviewed by Stephen Koch


Pianist Tim Lyddon uses a trio setting on this set of ten songs and creates music that is demanding and inspired. Ably backed by bass and drums he spreads the tunes around on another and back again.

Eight songs are originals by Tim with the other two being standards. “Theme For a Lost Real" allows all to shine, a bass solo by Tom Hubbard and rock solid drumming by Scott Latzky. “Freedom Piece" takes a different turn and allows Tim ...

118
Album Review

Tim Lyddon: I've Traveled So Far

Read "I've Traveled So Far" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


What's not to like...

With an engaging light-as-a-feather, block-chord touch, pianist Tim Lyddon spins out eight original and two standard compositions, all impeccably performed in the piano trio format.. A California-born current New Yorker, Lyddon employs his original compositions to express the art of the trio. He is not a blues player (at least on this recording) opting for mostly ballads, both upbeat and languid. Lyddon's lyricism is apparent on the title song, “Angela," and “Dreamland." However, he can come ...

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105

Performance / Tour

Pianist Tim Lyddon To Perform at the Priory in New Jersey

Pianist Tim Lyddon To Perform at the Priory in New Jersey

Source: All About Jazz

New York, NY: New York based pianist Tim Lyddon and his trio featuring bassist Tom Hubbard and drummer Steve Johns will perform a jazz concert at the Priory on Sunday, August 1st, 2004, 11am to 3pm to support Mr. Lyddon's latest release on his EssenceJazz label, Shades Of People.

His compelling and distinctive style engages a sensibility of enormous breadth, encompassing the classic American song form, and the harmonic innovations of the post-bop era, offering “..a light touch that allows ...

125

Performance / Tour

Tim Lyddon trio in Brooklyn Heights

Tim Lyddon trio in Brooklyn Heights

Source: All About Jazz


77

Recording

Tim Lyddon - Jazz Piano Trio - 'Shades of People'

Tim Lyddon - Jazz Piano Trio - 'Shades of People'

Source: All About Jazz


87

Performance / Tour

Tim Lyddon Trio with Tony Moreno at the Cornelia St. Cafe

Tim Lyddon Trio with Tony Moreno at the Cornelia St. Cafe

Source: All About Jazz

The Tim Lyddon Trio to appear at the Cornelia St. Cafe, Thursday, July 25, 2002 with bassist Tom Hubbard and drummer Tony Moreno.

“Tim Lyddon is a pianist who plays with extraordinary drive, impressive chops, good definition and a spirit which spreads nicely" says Cadence jazz. His latest CD, Ive Traveled So Far (Essence Jazz 2001) has been called “The best jazz piano trio CD in recent years" by WBGO's Dan Karcher. Tim has performed with many great jazz artists ...

150

Performance / Tour

Tim Lyddon trio with Tony Moreno

Tim Lyddon trio with Tony Moreno

Source: All About Jazz

Contact info: Tim Lyddon 42 Diamond St. #16 Brooklyn, NY 11215 718 389-6496 [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Tim Lyddon trio Appearing at the Cornelia St.Cafe Thursday,July 25, 2002 9 and 10:30 pm with bassist Tom Hubbard and drummer Tony Moreno

“Tim Lyddon is a pianist who plays with extraordinary drive, impressive chops, good definition and a spirit which spreads nicely" says Cadence jazz. His latest CD, Ive Traveled So ...

42

Performance / Tour

Tim Lyddon Trio at the Deer Head Inn

Tim Lyddon Trio at the Deer Head Inn

Source: All About Jazz


75

Performance / Tour

Tim Lyddon trio

Tim Lyddon trio

Source: All About Jazz

Contact info: Tim Lyddon 42 Diamond St. #16 Brooklyn, NY 11215 718 389-6496 [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Tim Lyddon trio Appearing at the Cornelia St.Cafe Thursday,June 13, 2002 9 and 10:30 pm with bassist Tom Hubbard and drummer Tony Moreno

“Tim Lyddon is a pianist who plays with extraordinary drive, impressive chops, good definition and a spirit which spreads nicely" says Cadence jazz. His latest CD, Ive Traveled So Far (Essence Jazz 2001) has been called “The best jazz ...

96

Performance / Tour

Tim Lyddon trio

Tim Lyddon trio

Source: All About Jazz

Contact info: Tim Lyddon 42 Diamond St. #16 Brooklyn, NY 11215 718 389-6496 [email protected] www.pianojazz.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Tim Lyddon trio Appearing at Club Europa Sunday,April 14, 2002 8 - 10 pm with bassist Tom Hubbard and drummer Marcello Pellitteri

Pianist/composer Tim Lyddon describes his approach to music as “uncompromised, what I feel from the heart, drawn from my life’s experiences.” His extraordinary trio CD, I’ve Traveled So Far on Essence Jazz Records proves his point.

“Tim Lyddon is ...

50

Music Industry

Tim Lyddon trio Appearing at the Cornelia St.Cafe Thursday January 31, 2002

Tim Lyddon trio Appearing at the Cornelia St.Cafe Thursday January 31, 2002

Source: All About Jazz

Contact info: Tim Lyddon 42 Diamond St. #16 Brooklyn, NY 11215 718 389-6496 [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Tim Lyddon trio Appearing at the Cornelia St.Cafe Thursday,January 31, 2002 9 and 10:30 pm with bassist Tom Hubbard and drummer Eliot Zigmund “Tim Lyddon is a pianist who plays with extraordinary drive, impressive chops, good definition and a spirit which spreads nicely" says Cadence jazz. His latest CD, Ive Traveled So Far (Essence Jazz 2001) has been called “The best jazz ...

76

Music Industry

Tim Lyddon trio

Tim Lyddon trio

Source: All About Jazz

Contact info: Tim Lyddon 42 Diamond St. #16 Brooklyn, NY 11215 718 389-6496 [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Tim Lyddon trio Appearing at the Cornelia St.Cafe Thursday,January 31, 2002 9 and 10:30 pm with bassist Tom Hubbard and drummer Tony Moreno “Tim Lyddon is a pianist who plays with extraordinary drive, impressive chops, good definition and a spirit which spreads nicely" says Cadence jazz. His latest CD, Ive Traveled So Far (Essence Jazz 2001) has been called “The best jazz ...

"Lyddon combines hands with heart and mind. The sensibility here is one of enormous breadth, encompassing the unearthly beauty of Romantic and Impressionistic Imaginations, the classic American song form, and the harmonic innovations of the post-bop era." —Larry Nai, ejazznews

"Tim plays with extraordinary drive, impressive chops, good definition and a spirit which spreads nicely." —Cadence Jazz Records

"I've traveled so far is the best jazz piano trio recording in recent years. It's distinctive from everything else." —Daniel Karcher, WBGO

"Tim's' playing is introspective and recalls the late Bill Evans" —Tim Blangger, Morning Call

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