Dick Hyman

Among the most versatile musicians of modern times, keyboardist Dick Hyman performed in styles ranging from classic jazz to stride to pre-bop swing and beyond, even releasing several albums of electronic keyboard music. He once recorded an album, Themes and Variations on "A Child Is Born," on which he rendered that tune in 11 different styles. Hyman began his career as a sideman in major swing bands, and for the latter part of his career, he returned to that style and to stride piano, which he recorded prolifically. Hyman was also a composer and became well known in that capacity as the creator of soundtracks for many films by actor-director Woody Allen. Hyman remained active into great old age, recording the album Counterpoint in 2019 with clarinetist Ken Peplowski.