Jon Wirtz - Speak Music Solo Piano at Dazzle Jazz Club

Musical Style: Solo PianoAs he delves deeper into his solo work, listeners of Jon Wirtz have become increasingly mesmerized by his unique sound, which incorporates acoustic piano with a tasteful use of ethereal effects and emotional crescendos. After years of performing as both a sideman and band leader, his graceful transition into a solo artist has been illuminated by his work with Grammy-winning producers Malcolm Burn, Steve Berlin, John Macy, and musical mentor Art Lande. Wirtz's musical journey has seen him grace stages and share billing with an eclectic roster of artists including Justin Timberlake, Gregory Alan Isakov, Joe Bonner, Victor Wooten (Bela Fleck), Buddy Guy, and George Porter Jr...

read more

Musical Style: Solo PianoAs he delves deeper into his solo work, listeners of Jon Wirtz have become increasingly mesmerized by his unique sound, which incorporates acoustic piano with a tasteful use of ethereal effects and emotional crescendos. After years of performing as both a sideman and band leader, his graceful transition into a solo artist has been illuminated by his work with Grammy-winning producers Malcolm Burn, Steve Berlin, John Macy, and musical mentor Art Lande. Wirtz's musical journey has seen him grace stages and share billing with an eclectic roster of artists including Justin Timberlake, Gregory Alan Isakov, Joe Bonner, Victor Wooten (Bela Fleck), Buddy Guy, and George Porter Jr. (The Meters), among many others. Notably, Wirtz’s career has been punctuated by memorable appearances on shows including The Late Show with David Letterman, CBS Early Morning Show, Ellen, and Lopez Tonight (George Lopez). Each performance is a testament to his versatility across a wide spectrum of musical genres.Wirtz's solo career represents a new chapter in his artistic evolution. In 2024 the title track to his upcoming album “Beautiful Illusion” was selected as a finalist for the IBLA Grand Prize International Music Competition (winners to be announced this August). His compositions often blend simple melodies with tasteful improvisation, skillfully creating landscapes of sound that range from classical to avant-garde, familiar to experimental, and melodies that can be described as both cascading and contemplative. Drawing upon a vast repertoire of influences, Wirtz paints musical portraits with a sustained intensity; the result is not quite classical yet not quite jazz, though certainly unique. As he continues to forge his creative path, each performance invites listeners into a realm where tradition meets innovation, eroding stylistic boundaries.

show less