A few modern jazz pianists: Kait Dunton, Hiromi, Roberta Piket

Roberta Piket is from Queens, NY. She grew up in musical family and first received piano lessons from her composer father at age seven. She received a BA in computer science from Tufts University and a BA in Jazz Studies at the New England Conservatory of Music. She studied with Fred Hersch, Stanley Cowell, Jim McNeely, Bob Moses, Richie Beirach and Sophia Rosoff. She has her own trio which has toured in the US, Japan and Spain. She also performs on the B3 organ. She is also a composer and was finalist in the Thelonious Monk BMI Composers' Competition. A look at her recent album, Sides, Colors:

Her trio in action:

Kait Dunton graduated from the University of North Texas with a degree in Jazz Studies. Her album, Real & Imagined, consists of her trio playing pieces she composed. Not only did she write the track but released it, produced it and arranged the album. She is from and still lives in Southern California. A few live recordings:

Hiromi Uehara is from Shizuoka, Japan. She has released five albums that she lead. In addition she recently played with Chick Corea in Duet  and appeared in the Stanley Clarke Trio's Jazz In the Garden. She attended school at Berklee School of Music and released her first album while studying there.

and with Chick Corea:

in Spain:

References:
http://www.jazz.com/features-and-interviews/2009/8/18/the-young-lionesses-10-future-female-jazz-stars
http://robertajazz.com/biography/

Critical Listening:


Kait Dunton
"While the City Sleeps"
Piano, Bass Drums
Piano is main solo instrument. The bass and drums provide the background rhythm.
The longer phrases form an A section (beginning to 1:30) followed by a 30s B section and then back to the A idea. This is followed by a C section marked by more runs on the piano and a more upbeat feel to the solo. She works her way back to the A section after entering into a section that feels similar to the B idea.