MR. JOY, A CELEBRATION OF PAUL BLEY – LUCIAN BAN, solo piano

In January 2016, pianist Lucian Ban took part at a celebration concert in New York for one of the most influential pianists in the history of jazz – Paul Bley. Maybe more than anyone else, Bley symbolizes the entire history of jazz piano, from traditional to the avant-garde. Mr. Ban will play several pieces associated with Paul Bley, as well as improvisations and compositions inspired by Bley’s universe. “Along with Thelonious Monk, Abdullah Ibrahim, and Andrew Hill, Paul Bley had a tremendous influence on piano playing and musical concepts”, says Lucian Ban.

Born in 1932 in Montreal to a mother who was an émigré from Romania, Bley contributed decisively in the early '60 in liberating the piano from the constraints of be-bop, influencing in turn generations of jazz pianists. He was one of the genuine visionaries of jazz. Paul Bley passed away on January 3, 2016 in Florida at age 83.