Hal Galper

Jazz pianist, composer, and educator Hal Galper is among the finest post-bop performers, known for his fluid solo performances and work with icons like Chet Baker, Phil Woods, and the Brecker Brothers. An East Coast native, Galper first came to the public's attention playing with Baker's quartet in the mid-'60s before launching his own career with albums like 1972's The Guerilla Band. From there, he played with a string of marquee artists like Lee Konitz, Tom Harrell, and Woods, while also releasing his own largely acoustic piano albums, including 1992's Tippin', 2009's Art-Work, and 2018's Cubist. In addition, he has contributed to the world of academia, teaching at the New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music and Purchase Conservatory. Galper remains an active performer, balancing his time between teaching and playing with his trio, as on 2019's The Zone: Live at the Yardbird Suite.