Eldar October 22, 2005

?Truly a virtuosic musical prodigy.? ? Los Angeles Times

Boasting ?remarkable poise and prodigious talent? (Washington Post), 18-year-old Kyrgyzstan-born piano sensation Eldar [Djangirov] has garnered comparisons to Oscar Peterson and ?a young Art Tatum? (Jazziz). A pianist since the age of three, Eldar had already performed (at age 13) on the annual Grammy Awards broadcast, won top prizes at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and the Peter Nero Piano Competition, and recorded a major-label CD (Eldar, released to widespread critical acclaim this March) before his high school graduation this June. As this trio performance will make clear, however, ?what makes (Eldar) Djangirov so notable is not his age but his stunning technique and sophisticated approach to improvisation and song interpretation? (San Diego Union-Tribune). Or, as Down Beat wrote: ?When he?s not knocking you out with his sheer keyboard speed, Djangirov seduces with gorgeously reharmonized balladry and surprises with complex rhythmic and stylistic changes.?