Jan. 3, 2012 -— CSU Bakersfield's Legends of Jazz Series is pleased to present the trio Pilc Moutin Hoenig, featuring the dazzling pianist Jean-Michel Pilc, bona fide bass monster Francois Moutin and the irrepressibly kinetic drummer Ari Hoenig. Selected as one of the 25 Essential New York Jazz Icons and called by Don Williamson (Jazz Review) "one of the astounding jazz piano trios of the last decade," Pilc Moutin Hoenig will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14 in the Doré Theatre at CSUB.

Their first recording in 2000 received an exceptional critical acclaim. Michael Nastos (All Music Guide) called it "stunning, dumbfounding, compelling and brilliant beyond description." In 2002 alone, the trio performed in festivals and venues around the world, literally performing in 18 countries over the course of two months. The third album, "Cardinal Points," received extraordinary reviews. JazzTimes said it "should be studied in every music school in the galaxy" and chose it as one of the Top Picks for 2003. Down Beat's four-star review said that the group "trades in the kind of grace that has the power to shake a room."

Each of the three musicians has a successful career leading individual projects. Hoenig signed to Dreyfus Records and recorded five CDs, three DVDs, and toured extensively. He was recently profiled in Time Out New York as Jazz Artist of 2011. Moutin continues to record and tour intensively with the Moutin Reunion Quartet, a group he formed with his twin brother in 1999 and with which he has put out five albums and one DVD. Moutin was voted onto both the Bassist and Rising Star Bassist shortlists in this year's Downbeat Critics Poll. Pilc released four solo and trio CDs as a leader on the Dreyfus label, as well as a documentary about his life and music. He joined the NYU jazz faculty in 2006 while touring internationally. Concerning Pilc's 2011 solo release, "Essential," the Washington Post says, "Pilc is a musical genius at work."

Together, Pilc, Moutin, and Hoenig radiate the confidence of three men who have played together for almost 13 years, while also retaining an unpredictable freshness that one might expect more from a first time meeting of masters. Concerning a 2011 Montreal Jazzfest performance, Ottawa Citizen states, "the trio kept the audience and each other riveted with intense, uninhibited, continually surprising music."

Tickets are available at the door for $15 general admission, $10 seniors/students, and free for CSUB students with ID. For more information call 661-654-3093.

Short Description:
Pilc Moutin Hoenig performs at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14 in the Doré Theatre at CSUB, 9001 Stockdale Hwy. Selected as one of the 25 Essential New York Jazz Icons and called "one of the astounding jazz piano trios of the last decade" (Jazz Review). Tickets: $15 general, $10 seniors/students, and free for CSUB students with ID. Information: 661-654-3093.