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Joe Utterback, JAZZ PIANIST
Blues, ballads, Broadway, and standard jazz favorites blossom
with mesmerizing "classically-derived virtuosity" (Audiophile Audition) and
sophisticated harmonies in the jazz improvisations of Yamaha Artist Joe Utterback.
His piano improvs - "a composite of the greatest American jazz and piano styles
of the century" (Pianoforte) - owe much to his admiration of Bill Evans,
Art Tatum, Erroll Garner. Oscar Peterson, and Sarah Vaughan. His style is known
for "its deeply personal quality, dynamic ability to involve the audience, haunting
melodies and colorful sonorities" (Accent).
Utterback has been performing jazz for more than forty years,
since his first gig at the age of seventeen in Wichita, Kansas. His jazz journey
has taken Joe throughout the United States and Europe, with long-term engagements
in such jazz centers as St. Louis, Kansas City, and San Francisco.
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Much involved in the New York City music scene,
Dr. Joe performs annually for the Tony Awards gala reception, in the lobby of The
Empire State Building during the December holiday season, and a weekly gig. In addition
to his numerous appearances in Fairfield County, Connecticut, the artist gives frequent
solo concerts throughout the United States, at times participating in radio interviews
before these concerts. Dr. Joe often presents improvisation workshops at regional
and national conventions of such groups as the American Guild of Organists and the
National Federation of Music Clubs.
Joe's career in the recording industry dates from 1960's vinyl.
The pianist, already recognized for his improvs, recorded Christmas Eve at the Wurlitzer
on the soon-to-be demolished theater organ in Wichita's doomed Miller Theater. Nearly
thirty yeats later in 1996, Connoisseur Society, Inc. released Joe's first solo
jazz piano CD, Gershwin:
Porgy and Bess Jazz Suite. Five additional Connoisseur CDs followed:
Blues and Ballads
at the Movies,
Night & Day,
Christmas on the Mountain,
Night Train and
Stardust. In 2004, Joe recorded
Dr. Joe's JAZZ GOSPEL and Jazz Dreamz under his
own publishing label Jazzmuze, Inc.
In June 2005, Connoisseur released Stardust, recorded right after 9/11. With wonderful
ballads, the CD is late night listening par excellence! Joe is also actively involved
in local studio work, recording with New York City cabaret singers.
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An internationally recognized composer, Joe has created jazz-influenced
works for piano, organ, harpsichord, voice, and instrumental combinations, which
have won him ASCAP awards annually since 1991. His more than 225 compositions have
been performed in concert venues and in church services worldwide. Recordings of
his compositions include Skyscape (Arktos) by the Canadian Duo Majoya; Spirituals
and Rags: Jazz Harpsichord (AFKA) by Australian-born harpsichordist Audley Green;
utterbackanalia (Jazzmuze, Inc.) by
English organist Andrew Shenton; Concert Fantasy on Gershwin's Porgy & Bess
(Connoisseur Society, Inc.) by pianist David Allen Wehr. Individual selections have
been recorded on issues by the Organ Historical Society, Pro Organo, Ethereal, and
Raven, among others.
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A Kansas native, Dr. Joe (b. 1944) holds degrees in piano from
Wichita State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Kansas.
He teaches at Sacred Heart University, Fairfield CT; directs the Stratford Sister
Cities Chorus; and serves as Director of Music and Organist at the First Congregational
Church of Stratford, Connecticut (www.firstchurchstratford.org).
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