Hendelman Trio performs at Wilton Library’s Hot & Cool concert

Award-winning jazz pianist Tamir Hendelman leads the Hendelman Trio in a Hot & Cool: Jazz at the Brubeck Room concert on Saturday, Jan. 21, from 7:30 to 9 p.m.  He will be accompanied by Tim Horner on drums and Martin Wind on bass. 

Taking up piano at the tender age of 6 in Tel Aviv, Tamir moved to the US at age 12, winning Yamaha’s national keyboard competition two years later.  Following studies at the Tanglewood Institute and a Bachelor of Music Composition degree from Eastman School of Music in 1993, he then became the youngest musical director for Lovewell Institute, a national arts education non-profit organization.  He has been in steady demand as pianist and arranger, touring the US, Europe and Asia, receiving numerous awards along the way.  The Israeli-born musician has performed with celebrity vocalists including Barbra Streisand, Natalie Cole, and Gladys Knight, and has been a member of the Jeff Hamilton Trio and Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra since the early 2000s. His debut CD in 2008 was “Playground” (Swing Bros.), followed by his second release “Destinations (Resonance Records).”  Dr. Judith Schlesinger wrote in All About Jazz, ''A tasteful feast from beginning to end, “Destinations” is a welcome relief from predictable sessions and ho-hum players; it also raises the bar for excellence. Given the excitement this CD created the moment it hit, it seems that Hendelman has truly caught the comet he deserves.”

Tim Horner has offered his experience, knowledge and skills as one of New York’s “in demand” jazz drummers for 26 years. He is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston and studied percussion with Dean Anderson, drums with Keith Copeland and drumming concepts with bassist Miroslav Vitous.

The third member of the Trio, bassist and composer Martin Wind, was born in Flensburg, Germany and moved to New York in 1996. He earned his Master’s degree in Jazz Performance and Composition at New York University (NYU) in 2008. Since 2007 he has been leading his own quartet featuring the talents of Scott Robinson (reeds), Bill Cunliffe (piano) and the aforementioned Tim Horner. They have released the albums “Salt’n Pepper!” (2008), and “Get It?” (2010), as well as the DVD “Live at Jazz Baltica” (2009).

A reception follows the concert where CDs will be available for purchase and signing.  The Hot & Cool concerts are made possible by the William and Karen Tell Foundation with special thanks to Ed and Catherine Romer and Chris and Tish Brubeck.  Suggested donation for the evening is $10 per person.  Advance registration is strongly recommended due to the popularity of the Hot & Cool concert series.  Pre-registrants should arrive by 7:20 to be guaranteed seating; wait-listed and walk-in registrants will be seated after this time if space is available. Mr. Hendelman’s accommodations are graciously provided by the Norwalk Courtyard Marriott.

For information, directions or to register, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org or call 203-762-3950, ext. 213.  Wilton Library is located at 137 Old Ridgefield Road in the heart of Wilton Center.