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Born in 1963, Chestnut began playing the piano at the
age of three. In 1985 he completed his degree in jazz composition
and arranging from Berklee College of Music. After Berklee, Cyrus
began further honing his craft as a sideman with many legendary and
leading musicians in the business including Jon Hendricks, Terence
Blanchard, Wynton Marsalis, Benny Golson, Regina Cater, Chick Corea,
Jimmy Heath, James Moody, Joe Williams, Kathleen Battle, Bette
Midler, Freddy Cole, Betty Carter, Dizzy Gillespie and so many
others.
As Cyrus was absorbing experiences as a sideman, he was also
developing as a leader, recording and playing live around the world.
To date he has fourteen albums as a leader including the 1998
release, Cyrus Chestnut (Atlantic), the 2000 release of the
A
Charlie Brown Christmas (Atlantic), the 2001 release of Soul Food,
(Down Beat’s “best records of 2001”), and his most recent, the 2007
release of Cyrus Plays Elvis (KOCH International Jazz).
In addition to his extensive recording and touring career, Cyrus has
been featured playing a Count Basie inspired character in the 1996
Robert Altman film, Kansas City. His leadership and prowess as a
soloist has led him to be a first call pianist in big bands
including the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni All Star Big Band, the Lincoln
Center Jazz Orchestra and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra. |
