Jeff Gardner

Born in New York City during 1953, jazz pianist and composer Jeff Gardner began classical studies at age five before moving to Paris in 1977 for lessons with Nadia Boulanger. He stayed in France throughout the following twenty years. While there, his fascination with worldwide musical traditions prompted journeys to Brazil, Cuba, Madagascar, and North Africa. At the same time he performed and recorded alongside Kenny Wheeler, Steve Lacy, Freddie Hubbard, and Eddie Harris, then took part in 1985 with Jaki Byard, Martial Solal, and Paul Bley in a piano quartet presented at Le Havre. After issuing the 1996 album Second Home, Gardner released his instructional volume Jazz Piano: Creative Concepts & Techniques; the following year he settled back in New York for good. The Music of Chance: Jeff Gardner Plays Paul Auster appeared in 2000.