Kris Davis and Craig Taborn
In 2016, Kris Davis released a record consisting of many improvisations in duo format with a number of prominent musicians in the American jazz scene. On this list, there was also a duo with the critically acclaimed pianist colleague Craig Taborn
Piano duo of the highest class
Davis describes this musical encounter as unique and special. "From the moment we started playing I felt instantly transported and free within the music, and had the sense we could go anywhere... There was a feeling of deep listening, a dynamic sense of push and pull, and yet it strangely felt like a conversation we'd been having for years».
Later, the collaboration was repeated several times, and a record was also recorded. "Octopus" was released in 2018 based on recordings of several concerts with the duo. The music is described as two pianists in total control of the moment and each other's input, and with the ability to also sound like a unit. They sound like they play with at least eight arms and probably a couple of legs too. Such is the virtuosity and intensity of their interaction.
Moldejazz has also presented piano duos before, and rarely have they been as successful as Vijay Iyer's duo with Craig Taborn in 2017. With two Steinway grand pianos in a central position on the stage in Teateret Vårt, we were presented with both sonorous tones and staccato passages to great happiness.
We are thus following a tradition here, and there is nothing to suggest that this will not be an equally memorable musical meeting in the vein of piano improvisation.
Kris Davis is a Canadian pianist who has lived in New York since 2001 and with his unique voice has contributed to the jazz and improvisation field with his projects.
In 2023, Davis received a Grammy in the jazz category for the record New Standards vol.1 together with Terri Lyne Carrington, Nicolas Payton, Linda May Han Oh, and Matthew Stevens.
Craig Taborn is an American pianist and keyboardist who has made a name for himself as a composer and pianist in several parts of jazz. In addition to a beautiful catalog of solo piano and trio recordings, he has contributed as a sideman for a number of musicians both in Europe and America, best known for his contributions on the piano stool with, among others, Dave Holland, Tomasz Stańko and Chris Potter.