Richard Wyands is one of jazz's most tasteful pianists. He is a true musician's musician, who is prized for his ability to accompany others as well for his abilities as a soloist in any setting. He began playing in his teens in San Francisco, but later moved to New York City. He worked with guitarist Kenny Burrell in the 1960s and also played in Gigi Gryce's quintet. He moved to New York in 1958, where he played with Roy Haynes, Charles Mingus, and spent time as accompanist for singers Carmen McRae and Ella Fitzgerald. Wyands has also headed his own trios, but has only had a handful of sessions as a leader thus far including a 1978 date for Storyville (Then, Here And Now), a 1992 date for DIW (The Arrival), a 1995 date for Criss Cross (Reunited), as well as sessions for Steeplechase (Get Out of Town), Venus (Lady of the Lavender Mist), and Savant (As Long As There's Music). Mr. Wyands will be joined by a bassist in this concert, which is the second of four in the Institute of Jazz Studies's concert series: Jazz Piano: Contemporary Currents.
