The Amherst Town Library begins the 13th year of its popular Sundays at 4 Music Series on Jan. 14 with The Laszlo Gardony Jazz Trio performing “Cool as Nordic Ice, hot as the Mississippi sun: The melting pot of jazz” from 4-5 p.m. in the Main Reading Room of the Library. In this concert, acclaimed jazz pianist and composer Laszlo Gardony and his trio – John Lockwood (bass), Yoron Israel (drums) – celebrate the many musical sources that created and enriched jazz over its history, with the bandleader’s unique, heartfelt and joyful compositions, including music from Gardony’s critically acclaimed new solo piano CD, “Serious Play” (Sunnyside Records). Modern jazz, with hints of classical, gospel, blues, funk, and rock, Gardony was praised for his “fluid pianism” by The New York Times, and Dave Brubeck called him a “great pianist.”

Laszlo Gardony has performed in 27 countries and released a dozen albums during his distinguished decades long career, “a formidable improviser who lives in the moment,” (Jazz Times). Winner of the Great American Jazz Piano Competition, Gardony has been called a “pianist worthy of praise within the highest pantheon of performers” by Jazz Review. Gardony has been featured with the Boston Pops, the Utah Symphony, and The Smithsonian Institute’s “Beyond Category” Traveling Duke Ellington Exhibit. Gardony’s 2015 Sunnyside recording “Life in Real Time” was named one of the 10 Best Jazz Albums of 2015 by the Boston Globe. His new solo piano album, “Serious Play” has garnered critical acclaim including a 4-star review in Downbeat which calls it a “distinctive amalgam of central European folk strains, majestic classical piano and improvisational fearlessness.” Laszlo lives in Boston where he is a Professor of Piano at Berklee College of Music. Performing with Gardony is bassist, John Lockwood, Associate Professor, Bass, at Berklee College of Music; and, drummer/percussionist Yoron Israel, Assistant Chair and Professor in the Percussion Department at Berklee College of Music.

This event is free and open to the public; however, registration is required due to space limitations. To register, please call 673-2288, email library@amherstlibrary.org or visit our website at www.amherstlibrary.org and select the “Community Services” tab, then click on drop down “Sign-Up for Programs.” The Amherst Town Library is appreciative for the funding provided by the Friends of the Amherst Town Library for the 2018 music series, offering one Sunday concert in January, February, March and April. Come early and enjoy mingling with friends over a delightful spread of goodies and refreshments also provided by the Friends of the Amherst Town Library at all the Sundays at 4 concerts.