Charles Blenzig
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Charles Blenzig is a jazz pianist based in New York City. He is also a composer, arranger, and percussionist. Born in The Bronx, raised in Pelham, and now residing in Queens, he has been a part of the New York City jazz scene since the 1980s.
[edit] History
The first important gig for Blenzig was as a member of the Gil Evans Orchestra that had a steady Monday night engagement at Sweet Basil Jazz Club in New York. He was fortunate to play with such musicians as George Adams, Hiram Bullock, Mark Egan, Gil Goldstein and Lou Soloff. In 1990 he was offered the position of musical director for singer/songwriter Michael Franks. Working with Franks led to performances and television appearances throughout the world, including Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Africa and Russia. In recent years, Blenzig produced and arranged Franks' recording Watching the Snow and co-wrote the title track to Franks' CD Barefoot on the Beach. During the mid 1990s Blenzig performed regularly with several groups, including Bill Evans and Kenwood Denard. Both stints led to recordings: Evans' Push, recorded live in Europe, and Denard's Just Advance which featured bass virtuoso Marcus Miller. Over the years Blenzig has worked with many accomplished musicians and groups, including Larry Coryell, Michael Urbaniak, Michael Brecker, Gato Barbieri, Joe Beck, the Mingus Big Band, Joe Locke, Eddie Gomez, Randy Brecker, Toninio Horta, Grady Tate, Buster Williams, Roy Ayers and John Patitucci. The pianist also hosted “The Late Night Session” at the Blue Note Jazz Club in Manhattan. It was a steady gig for five years which made him a recognizable face in the jazz community and introduced him to scores of both seasoned and up-and-coming musicians from around the world.
[edit] Teaching
Along with touring, recording and producing, Blenzig is also a respected teacher currently on faculty at the SUNY Purchase Conservatory in Westchester County, New York. The Jazz Department, headed by Todd Coolman, boasts one of the finest faculties in the New York City area, including John Faddis, Steve Wilson, John Abercrombie, Hal Galper.
Blenzig has been a guest artist on over 50 recordings and has four CDs as a leader. The first CD was self-titled and featured Will Lee and Mike Stern. The second, Say What You Mean, was produced by Will Lee and featured Michael Brecker, Dennis Chambers and Manolo Badrena. The third, Certain Standards, is a piano trio with Kenny Davis and Gene Jackson. The latest release, It’s About Time for Double Time Records, features Tim Hagans, Greg Tardy, Marcus Strickland, and Sean Conly.
