Jason Kutz, Lee Kanehira, Chris Rottmayer, Dave Stoler
Roman Sobus
Lee Kanehira at the piano.
Lee Kanehira
The Baldwin grand piano installed by BlueStem Jazz at the Cabaret will surely get a workout courtesy of the lineup for the bookers' second annual Piano Summit concert. Returning from 2023 is Dave Stoler, who leads his own jazz trio along with playing in Steely Dan tribute Steely Dane, The Tony Castañeda Latin Jazz Sextet and other groups. The music of Jason Kutz (of Mr. Chair) moves seamlessly in bringing together jazz and classical music into something of his own. Lee Kanehira grew up playing classical piano in her native Japan, but fell in love with Chicago blues and has been visiting the Midwest and playing shows for many years (including frequent appearances with Cash Box Kings). Madison pianist Chris Rottmayer was recently spotted during a pair of Darren Sterud Orchestra Nutcracker concerts, and has a new quartet album, Being, coming out in March.