Cyrus Chestnut being interviewed for State of the Arts
Dear Friend,

State of the Arts filmed an interview and performance at NJPAC last Sunday with the great jazz pianist Cyrus Chestnut. We're using the footage for an upcoming December feature about Dorthaan Kirk, Newark's First Lady of Jazz and the recent recipient of an NEA Jazz Masters Award. Cyrus has known her for decades and told us, "Dorthaan Kirk is the definition of jazz advocacy!"
Dorthaan Kirk hugs her old friend Cyrus Chestnut
Cyrus Chestnut first performed for State of the Arts in 1994 and we'd like to share those performances, which haven't been seen for almost 30 years. In 1994, Cyrus had just released his first solo Atlantic Records album at the age of 30, having already performed with a virtual who's who of jazz greats. He played the album's title track, "Revelation," and a piece called "Baroque Impressions." The latter features the beginning of a well-known Bach piano piece that alternates with a fascinating series of improvisations on Bach's theme. Cyrus studied classical music at the Peabody Institute in his hometown of Baltimore.
Cyrus Chestnut performing at Dorthaan's Place, NJPAC
Cyrus Chestnut has a concert with John Lee and friends at the South Orange Performing Arts Center tonight, November 20 at 8pm.  

As always, please send your comments and story suggestions our way at stateoftheartsnj@gmail.com! And thanks for watching.

Eric G. Schultz
Producer, State of the Arts 
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The New Jersey State Council on the Arts, encouraging excellence and public engagement in the arts since 1966, is proud to co-produce State of the Arts with Stockton University, New Jersey's distinctive public university, in cooperation with PCK Media.

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