Celebrated pianists in classical, jazz coming to Bates in February

In separate February concerts, two young but remarkably accomplished pianists, one playing classical and one jazz, perform at Bates College’s Olin Concert Hall, 75 Russell St.

Described as “eminently musical” by The New York Times, French classical pianist Lise de la Salle performs at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance or at the door.

Pianist Robert Glasper, called by New York Magazine “an artist who “unfailingly gets the feeling right,” brings the Robert Glasper Trio to Lewiston at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9. Advance tickets are $12/$6 and tickets at the door are $15/$10.

To reserve tickets for either or both concerts, please visit www.batestickets.com. For more information, please contact 207-786-6135 or olinarts@bates.edu.

---

Note to readers: The Robert Glasper program has changed since earlier Bates listings were released. Instead of the Robert Glasper Experiment, the pianist will bring his Trio to Bates.

---

Hailed by Gramophone magazine as a “talent in a million” before she even reached age 20, de la Salle is known for her exhilarating performances. As a Washington Post reviewer wrote, “de la Salle played so well that, for much of the concert, the audience had to remember to breathe.”

Her most recent recording, Liszt (Naïve) was named one of the best classical recordings of 2011 by The New Yorker.

De la Salle made her debut as a concert pianist at age 13, performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in Avignon, France. By 16 she had received international attention for her recording Lise de la Salle Plays Bach, Liszt (Valois, 2005), which was selected as “Recording of the Month” by Gramophone Magazine.

Although he is often called a jazz pianist, Glasper refuses to be limited by genre. The Los Angeles Times once wrote that “it’s a short list of jazz pianists who have the wherewithal to drop a J Dilla reference into a Thelonious Monk cover, but not many jazz pianists are Robert Glasper,” adding that “he’s equally comfortable in the worlds of hip-hop and jazz.”

A Blue Note recording artist, Glasper has made waves throughout the music world as leader of both the acoustic Trio and the electric, hip hop-oriented Experiment. Glasper’s Glasper’s first two Blue Note releases, 2005’s Canvas and 2006’s In My Element, featured his omnivorous trio and distinctive original compositions.

The Trio includes bassist Derrick Hodge and drummer Chris Dave, who also performs with the Experiment.

Glasper’s acclaimed 2009 recording Double-Booked was divided between the trio format and the Experiment. The latter ensemble releases the highly anticipated Black Radio at the end of February.

Originally from Houston, Glasper moved to New York to study jazz. In My Element, featuring songs by Herbie Hancock, Sam Rivers and Radiohead, was chosen by NPR as one of the best jazz albums of the year. Glasper has worked with modern masters such as Roy Hargrove, Kenny Garrett and Terence Blanchard.