FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT
CYRUS CHESTNUT

May 10, 2016 | by Rusty Aceves

Cyrus Chestnut

Here are five things to know about the master pianist and composer, Cyrus Chestnut.

1. A piano prodigy, Chestnut enrolled in the prep program at the Peabody Institute conservatory at age nine.
2. In his early career, Chestnut toured with vocalist Jon Hendricks, trumpeter Terence Blanchard, saxophonist Donald Harrison, trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.
3. While a student at Berklee in the 1980s, Chestnut attended a performance by vocal great Betty Carter, whose pianist failed to arrive for the show. Known by his fellow students as a masterful pianist, he was encouraged to fill in. In his nervousness, he played the first tune in the wrong key. In 1991, Chestnut had the chance to make amends by touring with Carter for two years. He called the experience “graduate school.”
4. Chestnut appeared on opera diva Kathleen Battle’s 1995 Sony Classical release So Many Stars, and their rapport was so strong that the pianist joined her on a subsequent U.S. tour.
5. He’s recorded nearly twenty albums as a leader, including his brand new High Note release, Natural Essence – a trio date featuring bassist Buster Williams and drummer Lenny White.