Poet and activist Amiri Baraka said “He has met Thelonious Monk!”, when speaking of pianist and educator Eli Yamin. At WBGO, we watched and listened, as a young Eli learned the language of Monk at our Steinway Grand piano. Eli’s seriousness and his dedication echoed through our halls, where he was also a production assistant and partime program host.
That dedication paid off, as Eli would eventually assume the piano chair in the legendary Illinois Jacquet Big Band, swinging on stages around the world. He would record and play with saxophonist Claire Daly, and make 8 recordings as a leader himself.
But inside Eli Yamin’s soul was another deep interest: to pay it forward; to bring young students inside this music, to develop their skills for improvisation, collaboration and dedication, all tools applicable to any young student’s life interests.
Eli would initiate the Middle School Jazz Academy at Jazz at Lincoln Center, and founded Jazz Power Initiative, which celebrates 21 years of developing young voices of the music, and perhaps our next great musical creators.
On May 21st, at Symphony Space in New York City, Celebration 21 is happening. Hosted by Catherine Russell, who will also perform, celebrating the rich history and transformative power of jazz arts & music education.
Recently, Eli and I chatted about his career, the many accomplishments of Jazz Power Initiative, and the upcoming celebration at Symphony Space.
