Jimmy Halperin

b. 1958, New York City, New York, USA. Active on the New York jazz scene from the 70s, Halperin studied with Lennie Tristano and after Tristano’s death with another pianist-teacher, Sal Mosca. In the mid-80s, he was a member of saxophonist Warne Marsh’s quintet, along with pianist Barry Harris, bass player David Williams and drummer Albert ‘Tootie’ Heath, recording 1986’s Back Home. A long spell without recording ended with a duo set with Mosca, Psalm, in 1997. The following year Halperin was in Norway where he recorded with bass player Thomas Winther Andersen (Line Up). It was not until the early 00s, however, and an association with Cadence Jazz Records/Creative Improvised Music Projects that Halperin began to receive the respect, which for decades he has richly deserved. Coolly objective, surprising in its intricacy and compelling through its undercurrent of restrained tension, Halperin’s work as performer and composer demands and rewards careful attention. Although the time spent with Tristano has left a lasting impression on Halperin, his artistic development and integrity have ensured that he has taken his own artistic path in contemporary jazz. Among other musicians with whom Halperin has worked and recorded are alto saxophonist Richard Tabnik, bass players Sonny Dallas, Don Messina and Dominic Duval, and drummers John McKutcheon, Bill Chattin and Jay Rosen.