Princeton Native Challenges Art Tatum

[Updated Friday, March 1 at 8:45pm]

Donald Lambert (a Princeton native) was a very reputable stride pianist.  Lambert is most known for his participation in the Harlem night club scene, and for challenging the great Art Tatum.  “Challenges,” also known as “cutting” in the stride style of playing, were often impromptu and captured the improvisatory style that is often reflected upon when one thinks of jazz today.  Lambert has challenged many greats, including Art Tatum, Eubie Blake and Willie Smith.

Donald Lambert is buried in Princeton Cemetery.  His tombstone, designed by several local musicians, features a tune he is known for.  The tune itself is short but it speaks to the fact that such a known musician could not read a note of music.  Lambert’s tunes were often influenced by many classical pieces, as was common practice with stride pianists of his time.  Of the available recordings of Lambert, the most commonly known are his renditions of stride versions of classical songs such as Edvard Grieg’s “Anitra’s Dance” and Wagner’s Tannhauser’s “Pilgrim’s Chorus.”  Lambert is just one significant person representing the jazz community here in Princeton. Princeton’s notable history in jazz is one of great tradition and of course style.

Some of the earliest records of jazz in Princeton date back to the 1920s with the Triangle Jazz Band.  In more recent years, jazz had gained even more prominence at the university with the development of a certificate program in Jazz Studies.  Renowned musician, Dr. Anthony D.J. Branker, heads the department.  Offering a unique set of courses, ranging from “Jazz Theory through Improvisation and Composition” to “Evolution in Jazz Style,” the Princeton University Jazz program is a promising look at what the future of jazz excellence in Princeton will continue to be.  These talented musicians in recent years have even been featured in several highly respected publications, most notably, The New York Times.

At a younger but certainly no less talented level, the Princeton High School bands have also been carrying on the jazz traditions of Princeton.  Headed by Berklee College of Music Alumni, Joe Bongiovi and Scott Grimaldi, Princeton High School maintains a reputable program of five distinguished ensembles (all of which requiring students to have full understanding of their instruments and one to two years of prior experience).  The Princeton High School bands compete annually, most often placing in the tops of their categories. They have received either first place, superior ratings, and gold or silver in the last few years at the Berklee Jazz Festival, the NJAJE State Preliminaries, the Truman Jazz Festival, and the Pennsbury Jazz Festival, just to name a few.

Annually, one may even be able to hear the talented styling of our local ensembles at the outdoor Jazz Festival at Palmer Square. Due to the great efforts of the New Jersey Jazz Society, a Jazz Feast each summer is free for all!  Providing spectators with “an alfresco afternoon of fine jazz,” this annual tradition is currently in its 22^nd year.  Information for this year’s jazz festival is yet to be released, but I’m sure based on last year’s line up (Princeton University Jazztet, Alan Dale & the New Legacy Jazz Band, etc…), this year is sure to be a good one!  For more information on this and all other events I highly recommend staying active on the New Jersey Jazz Society’s page, they offer a wonderful variety of concerts and information about jazz in our area and the surrounding area.