All
Copyrighted material enforced by James McParland, J.D.
James McParland, Chicago, Illinois
Don
Stille
Classical Piano, Jazz
Piano,Jazz Accordion, Composer
In a review following a recent performance, Howard
Reich, Music Critic for the Chicago Tribune, said, "Don Stille proves
he is ...an artist to be reckoned with." ..."The fluidity
of his technique, the depth of his tone and the intellectual
sophistication of his improvisations firmly established him as a polished
and accomplished artist."
Born and educated in St. Louis, Missouri, Don began formal music instruction
at the age of 5. He has performed in major cities throughout the
country with a long list of nationally and internationally acclaimed jazz
artists which include Clark Terry, Red Holloway, Roy Hargrove, Terry
Gibbs, Ira Sullivan, Eddie Daniels, and Doc Severinsen.
Some of his achievements
include: being proclaimed the Mainstream Jazz Pianist of the Year by the
Twin Cities Jazz Society in Minnesota: house pianist and often-featured
jazz artist on National Public Radio's "First House on the
Right" (broadcast weekly across the country); and finalist in The
Great American Jazz Piano Competition at Jacksonville, Florida (a national
competition).
In listening to a Don Stille performance, be
it live or recorded, one shares in a musical experience that is rich in
stylistic diversity. From ragtime to stride, mainstream to bebop,
high energy latin to hard driving straight-ahead jazz. Don's skills
are all-encompassing and complete on the highest artistic level. At
the same time he can approach a ballad using his own ultimately personal,
deeply musical, blend of tasteful restraint and melodic intensity.
Speaking of diversity, Don's other
instrument of choice is the accordion (hold the jokes, please) played in a
totally jazz way with completely unique virtuosic skill.
Since moving to Chicago, Don continues to
perform full-time in a variety of venues: jazz clubs, jazz festivals, recording
studios, clinics and concerts.
Don's own CD, "Aurora's Dance,"
features him as composer as well as performer with the Don Stille Trio.
