Ted Piltzecker makes memorable and distinctive music that elegantly intermingles jazz with sounds from around the world. His five albums as a leader have been critically acclaimed and influential in both the percussion and jazz worlds. His current release “Brindica” recorded in New York and in Buenos Aires reflects a recent four-month venture circumventing the globe. "Piltzecker writes and arranges tunes that draw on tango, second-line, Afro-Cuban, South African, and even carnatic influences, always in an organic, fun, and respectful way. The result is a stylistic kaleidoscope of an album that reveals new combinations of rhythm and harmony at every turn and always sparkes with wit and good humor." CD HotList

 

A graduate of the Eastman and Manhattan Schools, Ted Piltzecker has received awards from the National Endowment, New York State Council, New Jersey State Council, Lincoln Center Institute, and the ASCAP Foundation. He is a professor of music composition at the Purchase Conservatory of Music, SUNY and has held residencies at the MacDowell Colony and the Millay Colony. Cutting his teeth in the bebop tradition as vibraphonist with the George Shearing Quintet, he has immersed himself in jazz and classical music for decades while steadfastly exploring new musical territory that stimulates his creative thinking. Ted is a keen observer of compositional structure, timbres, and rhythms, and he thrives on collaboration.His music has been played in eclectic venues in five continents, From Finland’s UMO Jazz Ensemble to the Philadelphia’s famed Orchestra – from Kathmandu’s tabla/jazz collaborations, to Patagonia’s tango bandoneónistas. Ted’s works have been aired on National Public Radio’s “Performance Today” and the Canadian Broadcasting Company’s “Arts National” and the album “Brindica” is receiving wide airplay on the national jazz charts in 2019.