School Of Jazz

We first encountered talented pianist Dylan Hayes performing with a trio at Centrum's Jazz Pt. Townsend camp this Summer, and we knew this young man was ready for the KNKX studios. Hayes is in his final year studying jazz at Cornish College in Seattle, and he brought a fellow student and a few friends in town for a sonic display of his skills as a player, bandleader and composer. He's been working with his own big band and the large ensemble led by Jim Knapp, as well as various small groups around town for a couple years. This Studio Session blended Hayes' talents on acoustic and electric keyboards, with terrific moments for all five members of his quintet. Having known drummer Xavier Lecouturier since high school, their collaborations were the most impressive. Especially noteworthy was their co-written song "XD", but all three originals required plenty of sheet music for all the players. In spite of the concentration on the pages, the music carried the organic feeling of having been