Noah Haidu
Pianist and composer Noah Haidu is evidence that 21st century jazz can be adventurous, fresh and swing hard, and that an exciting, modern pianist can play memorable melodies and soulful grooves.
His latest record is Momentum (2013, Posi-Tone) and showcases Haidu in the piano trio format. His bandmates are the rhythmic Ariel de la Portilla on bass and the grooving McClenty Hunter on drums. The program consists of four Haidu originals interspersed with five interpretations of songs that have influence Haidu throughout his life.
In 2011, Haidu released his powerful debut record titled Slipstream (Posi-Tone) that garnered impressive reviews and radio play: write-ups in JazzTimes, the Financial Times, Downbeat, Allaboutjazz.com, and 8 weeks in the top 50 national Jazzweek charts. Haidu has also gained the attention of the jazz world through live appearances or recordings with heavyweights such as Mike Stern, Jeremy Pelt, Ambrose Akinmusire, Benny Golson, Jon Irabagon, Eddie Henderson, Billy Hart, Duane Eubanks, and Winard Harper. His ensembles appear regularly at New York City jazz venues such as Smalls and Kitano.
Born in Charlottesville, Virginia, Haidu was exposed early on to all kinds of music: classical, avant-garde, rock, and jazz. His high school years were spent in New Jersey and Los Angeles, where he was increasingly drawn to jazz and blues piano. His father, an avid music fan, took him to countless concerts, lessons, and band rehearsals and his first jazz shows. After graduating, Noah entered the Jazz Program at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. He moved to Brooklyn, New York after two years, eager to begin working in the heart of the music scene. It wasn’t long before he was playing gigs with his trio, backing up singers and horn players, even playing keyboards with hip-hop and funk groups. Though he was constantly performing Noah continued to challenge himself by composing his own music and practicing whenever he got the chance. His mentors included Kenny Barron, Bruce Barth, Barry Harris, and David Hazeltine.
Noah’s first record date was with Native Soul entitled Rough Jazz (2006, Apria). This led to gigs at important Manhattan venues such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, Sweet Rhythm, and Smalls, giving Noah wider exposure and setting the stage for many of his current collaborations and busy performance schedule. Now one of New York’s leading young jazz pianists, Haidu combines new rhythmic ideas, harmonic sophistication, spontaneity, soul, and swing into his own unique approach. He is often away from home performing as a bandleader and as a sought-after sideman. Recent highlights include a weekend engagement featuring Noah and Trumpeter Jeremy Pelt at Washington DC ‘s Twins Jazz Club, a week with Native Soul at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola followed by performances in South America, and gigs abroad from Oslo, to Istanbul, to Guayachill, Ecuador. Haidu is also heard on the popular releases from Native Soul, Soul Step (2011) and Native Mind (2012).
Noah completed his BFA at the New School University and Master of Music degree at The State university of New York. He lives in Brooklyn, New York. His primary goal is to perform with his own groups as much as possible and to continue developing his voice as a pianist and composer.
Pianist and composer Noah Haidu is evidence that 21st century jazz can be adventurous, fresh and swing hard, and that an exciting, modern pianist can play memorable melodies and soulful grooves.
His latest record is Momentum (2013, Posi-Tone) and showcases Haidu in the piano trio format. His bandmates are the rhythmic Ariel de la Portilla on bass and the grooving McClenty Hunter on drums. The program consists of four Haidu originals interspersed with five interpretations of songs that have influence Haidu throughout his life.
In 2011, Haidu released his powerful debut record titled Slipstream (Posi-Tone) that garnered impressive reviews and radio play: write-ups in JazzTimes, the Financial Times, Downbeat, Allaboutjazz.com, and 8 weeks in the top 50 national Jazzweek charts. Haidu has also gained the attention of the jazz world through live appearances or recordings with heavyweights such as Mike Stern, Jeremy Pelt, Ambrose Akinmusire, Benny Golson, Jon Irabagon, Eddie Henderson, Billy Hart, Duane Eubanks, and Winard Harper. His ensembles appear regularly at New York City jazz venues such as Smalls and Kitano.
Born in Charlottesville, Virginia, Haidu was exposed early on to all kinds of music: classical, avant-garde, rock, and jazz. His high school years were spent in New Jersey and Los Angeles, where he was increasingly drawn to jazz and blues piano. His father, an avid music fan, took him to countless concerts, lessons, and band rehearsals and his first jazz shows. After graduating, Noah entered the Jazz Program at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. He moved to Brooklyn, New York after two years, eager to begin working in the heart of the music scene. It wasn’t long before he was playing gigs with his trio, backing up singers and horn players, even playing keyboards with hip-hop and funk groups. Though he was constantly performing Noah continued to challenge himself by composing his own music and practicing whenever he got the chance. His mentors included Kenny Barron, Bruce Barth, Barry Harris, and David Hazeltine.
Noah’s first record date was with Native Soul entitled Rough Jazz (2006, Apria). This led to gigs at important Manhattan venues such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, Sweet Rhythm, and Smalls, giving Noah wider exposure and setting the stage for many of his current collaborations and busy performance schedule. Now one of New York’s leading young jazz pianists, Haidu combines new rhythmic ideas, harmonic sophistication, spontaneity, soul, and swing into his own unique approach. He is often away from home performing as a bandleader and as a sought-after sideman. Recent highlights include a weekend engagement featuring Noah and Trumpeter Jeremy Pelt at Washington DC ‘s Twins Jazz Club, a week with Native Soul at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola followed by performances in South America, and gigs abroad from Oslo, to Istanbul, to Guayachill, Ecuador. Haidu is also heard on the popular releases from Native Soul, Soul Step (2011) and Native Mind (2012).
Noah completed his BFA at the New School University and Master of Music degree at The State university of New York. He lives in Brooklyn, New York. His primary goal is to perform with his own groups as much as possible and to continue developing his voice as a pianist and composer.