In a previous blawg post (https://www.gurwinskeyboard.com/pandora-unlocking-the-music-genome-part-i/), I talked about how I have enjoyed utilizing Pandora’s music service to discover new artists previously unknown to me. One such artist is Mary Louise Knutson, a Minneapolis-based jazz pianist and composer. She has performed both as a solo artist and as the leader of her own fantastic trio, as well as with a “who’s who” of major jazz artists, including Dizzy Gillespie, Bobby McFerrin, Dianne Reeves, Kevin Mahogany, Randy Brecker, Bobby Shew, Nicholas Payton, Terell Stafford, Richie Cole, Greg Abate, Von Freeman, Slide Hampton, Mike Stern, Peter Erskine, Billy Hart, Ed Shaughnessy, and Richard Davis. As a show player, she has performed with such artists as Reba McEntire, Michael Bolton, Jordin Sparks, Trisha Yearwood, Sam Moore, Donny Osmond, Smoky Robinson, the Osmond Brothers, and comedians Phyllis Diller, Jack Carter, Rob Schneider, Kevin Nealan, Judy Tenuta, and more.
One of the great pleasures that I have as a professional jazz musician is getting to know and share ideas with other jazz musicians, particularly other jazz pianists. Almost without exception, they are willing to engage in creative dialogue and sharing. I have had the pleasure of getting to know Mary Louise a bit over the past month and, besides being an exceptional jazz musician, she is a warm and engaging personality. Her latest album, In the Bubble, is available on Amazon, CD Baby and iTunes. It is a great showcase of her considerable talents and I highly recommend it.
