BUENA PARK, CA (July 29, 2005) — Imagine Debussy with a jazz twist or bebop in a Tchaikovsky tune. The musical possibilities were endless at the 92nd Street Y's Kaufman Concert Hall in January. Jazz pianist, composer and Yamaha artist Dick Hyman began the first of the 2005 season's three programs called "Jazz Piano at the Y." Hyman has been the artistic director of the annual series since its inception in the mid-80s. During this performance, pianists Derek Smith, Ted Rosenthal, and the late Ruth Laredo, along with clarinetist Ken Peplowski and upright bassist Greg Cohen, joined him to blur the boundaries between jazz and classical.

Dick Hyman and Ruth Laredo before their 92nd Street Y performance. Photo Credit: James Steeber

"Sometimes we took the classical pieces and jazzed them up in one way or another," recalls Hyman. "Sometimes we did the bop version of the pieces, and sometimes Ruth played a piece the original way and we – the other three pianists– played a variation on it."

Two Yamaha CFIIIS concert grand pianos were used during the improvisational performances. "I wouldn't have become a Yamaha artist unless I liked the pianos very much," notes Hyman. "I find them friendly to the player, and I like the way they feel."

This wasn't the first time Hyman has performed with Laredo. Along with Marian McPartland, Hyman and Laredo performed piano concerts in Three-Piano Jazz Classical Crossover, which debuted in 1996 at 92nd Street Y, and has since toured across the country. The current series is an adaptation of the previous trio's concerts.

Labeled "the quintessential New York institution" by The New York Times, 92nd Street Y has united culture and community service during its 131-year history. February's program at the Y, "Perfect Couple: Piano and Bass," featured the duo for blues-drenched swing. The final program in this year's series, March's "Odd Couple: Piano and Drum," explored the orchestral possibilities hidden in the pairing. Like the January show, the performances again featured the CFIIIS concert grand.

In addition to jazz concert performances, Hyman is a regular contributor to Woody Allen films that include the Academy Award-winning Hanna and Her Sisters, Mighty Aphrodite and Sweet and Lowdown. His latest Allen score can be heard in Melinda and Melinda starring Will Ferrell.

For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Piano Division, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622, telephone (714) 522-9011, or e-mail infostation@yamaha.com.