Semblance

Bruce Dudley Pianist/Composer E-mail: brudud@aol.com BRUCE DUDLEY is a versatile jazz pianist, who plays contemporary music that is deeply rooted in the rich tradition of jazz piano. His music is hard swinging, lyrical, and fresh, capturing the very essence of jazz. 'Stunning to listen to,' says the Halifax Chronicle Herald. Julia Olivarez, December 27, 1997 writes: 'Imagine a recording of beautiful music by a top-flight pianist accompanied by equally gifted players. Imagine a recording which captures the warmth, intimacy and easy camaraderie of a live performance in a small jazz club. Imagine a pianist who plays not-so-standard songs as though he had written them himself, with love and infinate thoughtfulness and care. Imagine all of this, and then get yourself to a music store and find a copy of pianist Bruce Dudley's 'Semblance' for the real thing. Bruce Dudley is one of those happy few, a pianist with virtuostic technique and an encyclopedic knowledge of jazz piano styles who manages to forgo the tedious pyrotechnics of some such players, opting for an exceedingly warm and lryical approach to both composition and performance. Running across such a pianist is almost like walking into a strange place and finding your best friend waiting for you with good news. Dudley is able to turn music into conversation, a fluid give-and-take betweem himslef and his accompanists, between himself and his listeners. Bracing as it is to listen to players who turn music into a virtual challenge to their listeners to penetrate it's complexities, it is with a giant sigh of relief and gratitude that one listens to Dudley's immediately accessable love for the sheer beauty of music. In his hands, music is a happy, pampered creature---and we lucky listeners are likely to come away feeling equally indulged. 'Semblance' is a great pleasure to hear, and, if we should be so lucky, Bruce Dudley will favor us with ever more of his work in years to come. Here's hoping that we won't have to wait too long!' ****FOUR STARS!!!! JAZZ and BLUES NEWS SEMBLANCE, Bruce Dudley Keuka Waters Music, 1997 Excellent Nashville pianist Bruce Dudley scores with his first CD (that we know of), with David Craig and Eric Late, bass, Sebastian Whittaker and Joe Ferreira, drums, and Bob Chadwick, flute. This collection of jazz classics, standards, and 2 originals shows why Bruce is a welcome addition to the local jazz scene. He can range from a strong two-handed rhythmic approach to a sensative lyricism, and seems to share a characteristic with the late great Bill Evans: both hands always seem to be in perfect balance, which gives every note a harmonic richness making repeated listenings a pleasure. About the Artist BRUCE DUDLEY is a versatile jazz pianist, who plays contemporary music that is deeply rooted in the rich tradition of jazz piano players from the 1930's to the 1960's. His music is hard swinging, lyrical, and fresh. A native of Rochester, New York, Dudley studied in Boston and New York City with Jaki Byard and George Russell before returning to Rochester and the Eastman School of Music for a Master of music in Jazz Performance where he studied closely with Roland Hanna, Rayburn Wright and Bill Dobbins. Dudley began teaching at St. Francis Xavier University in 1986 and released his first recording 'JazFX' in 1988. In 1991 Dudley moved to Houston, Texas to teach at San Jacinto College and quickly became an in demand pianist in that city. He performed with Herb Ellis, Marvin Stamm, Pat La Barbara, Fraser MacPherson among others during this time. In 1995 Dudley relocated to Nashville, Tennessee where he currently teaches at Belmont University and from where he tours regularly. Drummer Sebastian Whittaker has received numerous awards for his playing and recordings on Justice Records. His performing credits include stints with Freddy Hubbard, Frank Lacy, Herb Ellis, and mosy notably his own band 'The Creators'. Bassist David Craig has performed with almost every major jazz artist who has visited Houston including Dizzy Gillespie, Kenny Werner, Tex Allen, Dianne Schu