and We'll Send You an Email
When Dates Are Known
and We'll Send You an Email
When Dates Are Known
and We'll Send You an Email
When Dates Are Known
Ovations from the Press
Below you will find a sampling of ovations from the press.
Improvisation
Razor Sharp
The ensemble's best quality was its improvisatory skill. Chappell's solo was razor sharp.
Enthusiastic Standing Ovation
Chappell is not only a fine pianist, but one who has made an in-depth study of the traditions of jazz. Chappell received an immediate and enthusiastic standing ovation.
Duke Ellington Richness
Jeffrey Chappell took his seat at the piano and began collaborating with bassist Pepe Gonzalez. Their alternately spacious and spry duets often evoked the richness, nuance and swing associated with Duke Ellington.
Gershwin Success
This piece is one of Gershwin's attempts to bridge the gap between classical music and jazz, and Jeffrey, who has jazz chops in addition to a formidable classical technique, made a complete success out of Gershwin's effort, even to the point of giving the faster passages a bebop articulation which the composer would surely have arrived at, had he lived long enough to hear it. (Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm" Variations with the Key West Pops Orchestra)
Defies Unwritten Law
He continually defies the unwritten law that pianists can't excel at both classical music and jazz.
Composition
Jazzical Style
In ´American Sonata´, composed by Mr. Chappell, he incorporated jazz, classical, and contemporary elements into a single work reminiscent of Erroll Garner and George Gershwin. One might call his style ´jazzical´.
Spellbinding
With the world premiere of his piano sonata, ´On The Wing´, Mr. Chappell weaves jazz and classical music ideas together in a composition that leaves a listener feeling airborne. The second movement is the most spellbinding.
Challenges the Fingers
Jeffrey Chappell's sonatas surely will satisfy pianists seeking inventive and well-crafted "written-out jazz" that challenges the fingers.
Interpretation
Originality
Some rise above their colleagues in how well and originally they communicate. One of the latter is Jeffrey Chappell. He ended his program with a reading of Ravel's Gaspard de la Nuit which was one of the finest this writer has heard.
Spectacular
Jeffrey Chappell in the prominent piano part was spectacular. (Scriabin's ´Prometheus: Poem of Fire´ with the Baltimore Symphony and Sergiu Comissiona at Carnegie Hall)
Intelligent Sensitivity
Chappell is remarkable in intelligence and sensitivity. His technique is mastered to the point that one forgets it. The heart rules the fingers.
A Few Hours Notice
On a few hours notice, he replaced an ailing Claudio Arrau and performed, without benefit of rehearsal, the mighty Brahms Second Concerto. Chappell came through with flying colors and won a standing ovation.
Infectious Grace
There was an infectious grace to his art. It fell easily upon the ears, slipping into the heart like an enchantment. He caught the essence of Mozart´s classical style in fluid, transparent playing of tensile strength and radiant ease, always balanced, never a muscle showing. The sharpness of his rhythmic sense and the seeming spontaneity of his responses carried echoes of the jazz world. (Mozart Concerto K. 503)
Most Persuasive Pianist
Jeffrey Chappell, soloist in Rhapsody in Blue, stylistically was one of the most persuasive pianists I've heard.
Listeners Transported
Chappell established an immediate bond between himself and the audience. His Debussy ´Images´ transported the listener into a forgotten world.