Brian Haas

“And what of dear Brian Haas? What this performance cemented for me is his place as my personal favorite pianist alive. No hype, no bullshit. I’ve heard most of the major dudes working ivory today and there’s just nothing quite like Haas. I’ve grown tired of comparing him to the greats and during this set one felt his originality slosh all over them.” — Dennis Cook, Jambase

“Piano giant Brian Haas is taking the instrument deep into an explosive, exploratory future where genres blur and stylistic lines are not so much redrawn but re-imagined. Haas’ matchless originality and soul are as much a product of his unique upbringing as they are his process of self-discovery, and his vibrant energy and musical vitality are testament to his determination to remain true to his ideals.”—Keyboard Magazine

“Brian Haas blends touches of playful stride with spikey Cecil Taylor-isms and a dynamic Ahmad Jamal touch.”—Jazztimes

“Brian Haas paints with his fingers. In a flurry, his joyful digits add color to 88 black and white keys. He plays with the assured abandon of an artist in complete control of his craft.” — Keyboard Magazine

“Brian Haas can play with the finesse of Keith Jarret, but still get across to the ecstasy generation.”—New Orleans Gambit

“Haas solos and comps with a keen sense of post-bop, ragtime, and abstract styles.” — JazzIz

“Since folks adore (and perhaps even require) touchstones to “get” a contemporary player, I’ll offer this: Monk and Bud Powell wouldn’t kick this modernity-addled Jelly Roll Morton out of bed for eating crackers. Even those high-minded glosses don’t really do the trick. There’s too much hair and sweat on his stuff to make it work in hierarchical terms. He’s an original and remains the throbbing muscle pumping blood through JFJO’s arteries. If anything, he seems more possessed than ever to continue the Odyssey down its own path, finding fresh ways to combine accessibility with innovation, melody with dissembling, the past with the future, all coalescing in the present like a fog that remains but a moment yet drenches us good.” — Dennis Cook, Jambase