Marian McPartland

Marian McPartland leads a dual career as a jazz pianist and radio personality. She was born in Windsor, England. Her career as a classically-trained pianist was sidetracked by her love of jazz and popular music and she left the Guildhall School of Music to perform in the world of Vaudeville. During WW II, Marian played for British and American troops in Europe and met her future husband, cornetist Jimmy McPartland. She moved to the U.S. with Jimmy in 1946 and gradually overcame resistance to her nationality and sex by establishing her own jazz trio at The Hickory House in New York City. Marian has performed all over the world with various ensembles and recorded numerous albums for Concord, Halcyon and Savoy Records. Her nationally syndicated radio show "Piano Jazz" is in its nineteenth year and Marian has interviewed and played with virtually every important jazz musician on the show. She has authored a book, All in Good Time, and composed a number of well known compositions. She continues to record and perform, often in educational settings, where she has been instrumental in the development of jazz education. Marian received an Honorary Doctoral Degree from Hamilton College in 1997.

I first met Marian in 1974 when she appeared at a high school where I taught. She handled a potentially rowdy crowd with skill and class and our paths crossed a number of times over the years. She is undoubtedly the Queen of jazz piano and she constantly amazes you with the shifting of styles she can incorporate in her instant arrangements. Check out her recent CD Silent Pool. I have always been fond of jazz waltzes, although this was my first meaningful attempt at one.