ABSTRACT
American jazz pianist, born Leonard Joseph Tristano in Chicago. He became blind in childhood, but went ahead with his planned career, studying at the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago (B.Mus., 1943). He was highly praised for his club performances. In 1946-1947 he made trio recordings for the small jazz label, Keynote (reissued on Mercury #830921). In 1949 he made a fine LP for Capitol, Crosscurrents (#11060), one of the first freely improvised sessions on record and a classic in the jazz world; oddly,it’s not yet available on CD. A 1955 Atlantic record, Lennie Tristano, offered group recordings and some fine Tristano solos; among the most enduring are “These Foolish Things” and “You Go to My Head.” “Turkish Mambo” demonstrated his skill with rhythmic complexities. (Both of his mid-1950s Atlantic albums are available on a single CD from Rhino #71595.) Tristano ceased recording much after the early 1960s; and he ceased performing altogether in the U.S. in 1968, although he continued to teach jazz piano until his death in New York a decade later.
