Hard bop/post-bop pianist Eldar Djangirov has achieved somethingthat the majority of the current generation of jazz artists hasnot. The American, born in the former Russian state of Kyrgyzstan,won a Grammy nomination before he was old enough to drink. Lastyear, at the tender age of twenty, his album Re-Imagination wasnominated for this prestigious music award. When he was just nine,Eldar came to Kansas, after he had been discovered at a Siberianjazz festival. He was a child prodigy. Two years later, he becamethe youngest person ever to participate in Marian McPartland'srenowned NPR radio program. After releasing two albums under hisown management, Eldar signed with Sony. With this label, he workedwith, among others, greats like bassist John Patitucci and trumpetplayer Roy Hargrove. Eldar is well known for his overpoweringintensity, combined with a phenomenal technique and the sublimestructure of his playin.
