A Bu

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Review:

This is the forty ninth in a series of special Jazz on the Tube reviews of live stream performances.

Support live music – even when it’s streamed!

Dai Liang aka A Bu is a 20-year pianist from China, possibly China’s first major jazz musician.

Born in Beijing, A Bu started studying classical piano when he was four, attended the Central Conservatory of Music when he was nine, became interested in jazz at when he was 15 and won an important jazz piano competition at Montreux.

Since then, A Bu has appeared at many concert venues and festivals; he has recorded three CDs as a leader and is currently attending Juilliard.

During his LiveStream of June 8, 2020, one can hear touches of McCoy Tyner, early Herbie Hancock and Oscar Peterson in A Bu’s playing (which is quite mature considering his age, varying tempos, moods, dynamics and sometimes embracing melodies) but is already on his way towards developing his own individual style in jazz’s modern mainstream.

A-Bu’s version of the swing standard “You Took Advantage Of Me” is a joyful surprise and he comes up with plenty of fresh ideas on “Someday My Prince Will Come” and “In A Sentimental Mood,” This performance is an excellent introduction to the young pianist’s talents.

– Scott Yanow