Seth Abramson

Looking forward to joining my music industry colleagues and friends, Karen Kennedy and Lydia Liebman, for a discussion at Montclair State University today that is free and open to the public. They have a very strong Jazz program at the University. Colleges and Universities have refined the art of teaching the music through theory, improv, composition, ensemble playing classes etc., but what do you do once you graduate? What should you be doing outside the classroom before you graduate to better prepare yourself for the “real world”? I think we’ll dig into these important questions. Come find out some answers! 😎🎶 . . . . .#montclairstatejazz #jazzed #musiced #jazzmusicians #jazzstudents

The first-ever Larry J. Bell Jazz Artist Award recipient. A fresh Grammy win for Best Jazz Instrumental Album. Sullivan Fortner opens and closes The Gilmore Piano Festival, and there’s a reason for that. Get tickets: thegilmore.org 🎟️✨ @sullivanfortnerjr @seth_pix

I just came across this prior video from a little while back that I want to share of a favorite Monk tune of mine that doesn’t get played enough in my opinion. It’s entitled Played Twice. This 32 bar AABA form captures all of Thelonious Monk’s idiosyncratic melodic and harmonic style - syncopated and displaced melodic devices along with inventive harmony. Interestingly, this was released on the album 5 by Monk by 5 in that famed release year of 1959 (Miles’ Kind of Blue, Coltrane’s Giant Steps, Ornette’s Shape of Jazz to Come, Mingus Ah Um, Ornette’s The Shape of Jazz To Come, Brubeck’s Time Out…). By the way I’m playing a very sweet small body archtop built by the deceased luthier Gary Mortoro that I came across in a small shop years ago. A lucky find that was too good to pass up. (Sorry Ondine 🥺) Anyway, I hope you enjoy this and check out Monk’s recording of this (and everything else he did of course). It will always remain fresh and timeless! … . . . . #theloniousmonk #guitarluthiers #archtopguitars #jazzimprov #jazzguitarists

Guess it’s time to finally share a reel and some real music too! (play on words…not just guitar. 😎). This is the first tune Bill Evans ever composed back when in college and it remains a favorite of mine. Whenever revisiting it, there is more insight to be gleaned…always humbling…I find it very peaceful too, which we all need these days! #jazzguitarist #collingsguitars #billevans #jazzimprov #jazzmusic

The calm before the storm! 😎🎶 . . . . .#nycjazzclubs #livemusicvenue #kurtrosenwinkel #peterbernsteinguitar #nycnightlifescene

I’m so truly thrilled to share a major music initiative I’ve been secretly working on for many, many months as Senior Artistic Advisor for the Jazz Foundation of America in Partnership with the Mellon Foundation​. Introducing the Jazz Legacies Fellowship, a $15 million program founded by @mellonfoundation in partnership with JFA. The Jazz Foundation of America is excited to announce our partnership in this project that will support 50 jazz artists aged 62 and older over the next four years. Each recipient will be honored with a lifetime achievement award, an unrestricted grant, and tailored resources for professional and personal support. The inaugural class represents the pinnacle of creative achievement, technical mastery, and boundary-pushing expression. As their stories are shared—and their legacies preserved for generations to come— join the team in recognizing and congratulating these deserving inaugural fellows. The 2025 Jazz Legacies Fellows are: • George Cables, 80, pianist, Queens, NY @georgecables • Valerie Capers, 89, pianist, Bronx, NY • George Coleman, 89, saxophonist, New York, NY @georgecolemanofficial • Akua Dixon, 76, cellist, Westchester, NY @akuadixon • Manty Ellis, 92, guitarist, Milwaukee, WI • Billy Hart, 84, drummer, Montclair, NJ • Tom Harrell, 78, trumpeter, New York, NY @tomharrellmusic • Bertha Hope, 88, pianist, New York, NY @hopeberthahope • Roger Humphries, 81, drummer, Pittsburgh, PA @rhpassiton • Carmen Lundy, 70, vocalist, Los Angeles, CA @carmenlundymusic • Amina Claudine-Myers, 82, pianist, New York, NY • Roscoe Mitchell, 84, multireedist, Fitchburg, WI • Johnny O’Neal, 68, pianist, New York, NY @Mrjohnnyoneal • Shannon Powell, 62, drummer, New Orleans, LA @kingoftreme • Julian Priester, 89, trombonist, Seattle, WA • Dizzy Reece, 94, trumpeter, Bronx, NY • Herlin Riley, 68, drummer, New Orleans, LA @herlinriley • Michele Rosewoman, 71, pianist, New York, NY @mrosewoman • Dom Salvador, 87, pianist, Long Island, NY @domsalvador • Reggie Workman, 87, bassist, New York, NY @reggieworkman . . . . .#musicnews #jazzfoundationofamerica #jazznews #jazzmusic #jazzmusicians #thearts #jazzlegends #jazz

I’m so looking forward to working with these amazing and legendary artists tomorrow @lprnyc and working with some of my favorite people behind the scenes in this business too! Let’s go!! 🎉🎶😎

“A Great Night in S.F.” Incredible music at SFJAZZ with John Beasley MONK’estra and Sullivan Fortner solo over the weekend… . . . . .#sfjazz #livejazzsf #jazzscene #theloniousmonk #jazzhang #jazzartists #sfnights

As the Director of Jazz for The Gilmore, I’ve been enjoying some of the world’s greatest classsical and jazz pianists here at The Gilmore Piano Festival in Kalamazoo, Michigan. I’m looking forward to discussing the festival and jazz live on the NPR radio station WMUK, from 10am - 11am on Cara Lieurance’s Let’s Hear It morning show. You can tune in online by going to wmuk.org And for those not fortunate enough to be here at the festival, many concerts can be watched virtually via livestream by visiting TheGilmore.org Enjoy! #thegilmorepianofestival #thegimore #musicfestival2024 #pianofestival #jazzpiano #classicalpiano #nprmusic #discoverkzoo

This is one of those standards that whenever I revisit it, it brings joy. Some titles are instantly visual too…- The Night Has A Thousand Eyes. (And this was written prior to all those satellites in the sky 😎). I hope it brings some joy to you during these very troubling times in our world!… . . . . .#marchioneguitars #jazzguitarist #jazzmusic #bensonamplifiers #musicimprovisation #guitarimprovisations #sologuitar #solojazzguitar

Practice session in the bunker last night on the Miles Davis standard Half Nelson while half awake. There’s something about playing late at night whereby I find it’s easier to be in the moment and really feel connected to my instrument and the music. Perhaps it has to do with generally being in a more relaxed state whereby it’s easier to stay out of your own way. Is that your experience too? What helps you to be and remain in the moment? #latenightcreativity #connecttosource #guitarimprov #jazzguitarsolo #semihollowbody #marchioneguitars #tylerampworks #milesdavis #jazzmusic #musicians #musiclife🎶

Jazz vs. Rock Tonight - Ideas Festival 2023