Grammy-nominated piano player Taylor Eigsti performed with the Aragon jazz bands in the Aragon Theater on Oct. 21. Musical director Troy Davis organized the concert, which featured the Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, and Jazz Ensemble, to let his students have the opportunity to play with and learn from a professional musician.
Davis used his connections in the music profession to get the professional pianist to play at the concert. Davis says, “[I’ve known] Eigsti for years through the musical world. I just simply asked him if he wanted to do it, and he agreed. The convincing part was not much of a challenge [because] we [had] been talking about doing this event for 2 years now, approximately.
[However,] since he is an international performer, he has a very busy schedule, so finding a date that was possible for him was definitely the most challenging part.”
Taylor Eigsti is one of senior and trombonist Jordan Tom’s musical inspirations. When he found out that Eigsti was coming over to play in Aragon High School, he says that it was one of the best feelings in the world. He says, “I first saw Eigsti in concert when I was 14 years old … Eigsti is a skillful player and it is amazing to see a person of younger age — not 900 years old — to have such a talent in playing. It gives me great comfort in knowing that if he can do it, a lot of other people can do that at his age … To see him performing [and] to now [be] performing [with him] is absolutely my biggest dream.”
Junior George Marshall, who plays alto saxophone in jazz ensmeble, says, “It is one thing to listen to a professional musician and another thing to actually play with one. Playing with Eigsti will allow me to be closer to discovering how the mind of a talented professional musician works so that I can apply that to my own future venues.”
Davis wanted Eigsti to perform with Aragon Jazz because he knew that some of his students may have already met Eigsti through musical camps. However, he adds, “But the main reason why I chose Eigsti out of all musicians is that I love his playing style. He is not only such a great performer, but also a very skillful teacher and master. He does a lot of work at the local community music camps, one of which is the Stanford Jazz Festival, [which is why] I believe most of my students who have participated in that music camp have already met and knew Taylor Eigsti. I believe that my students can build on what Eigsti has given the lessons to them.”
The pianist for Jazz Band, freshman Anna Zhang believes that the Eigsti concert was the most rewarding experience in her pianist musical journey. She says, “My favorite part of the concert [was] definitely listening to his solos. Being in close proximity with him and getting a close-up view on his playing styles is definitely something I will cherish for the rest of my life … I just love how he keeps his composure and seems so free and relaxed when playing the piano.”
Zhang adds, “It is my ultimate goal to be just like Eigsti.”
Sophomore Theo Hargis, who plays alto saxophone in Jazz Band was also captured by Eigsti’s playing style during the concert. He says, “Eigsti is willing to experiment with his playing styles. He takes this knowledge of his and makes everything that he produces [on] the piano sound excellent. He is very diverse in his playing styles and he never remains consistent … from solo to solo. Eigsti adds a lot of flavor and taste to his music.”
Eigsti notices that there is a difference between playing with high school students versus professional musicians. He says, “I can easily relate to them because I was just like them many years ago, with the same experience and hopes and dreams as them. Similar to me, they have experience to learn from different musicians. Honestly, these high school students are great people, and it was fun to be a part of this experience [for] them.”
Davis saw the Eigsti concert as different from previous guest performances at Aragon. He says, “Everyone has their own individual, unique vibes, experience, and takes on music. All musicians are special and wonderful in their own unique ways that it is really hard to compare between any of them in terms of musical styles and performances. However, Eigsti is probably the biggest name in jazz that we ever have [had] the fortunate opportunity to play with. Eigsti is really popular internationally and that just brings more hype to the performance.”
Eigsti used this opportunity to spread his message to the Aragon jazz students about pursuing a musical career. He says, “My long lasting advice … is always doing things for 3 elements: play good music with good people at a fair price. You should never do just one of those elements. I have seen people who play good music but at a terrible price and with bad people or influences. I also have seen people who are being paid well but playing terrible music with terrible people. People are happy if they have at least just two of those elements … You should always have fun [with] what you are doing.”
