Two Jazz Masters, Four Hands: Dave Frank & Harvey Diamond in Concert

Join us at Cunningham Piano's Cherry Hill Showroom on Sunday, August 17th at 3:00 PM for a very special afternoon of jazz featuring two master pianists, Dave Frank and Harvey Diamond. Both were students of the legendary jazz pianist and teacher Lennie Tristano , and for the past five years they have been performing unique two-piano concerts that blend their individual styles into one spontaneous four-handed improvisation. This afternoon promises to be full of musical surprises – and it will swing like mad!

Attendance is free, and the musicians will ask for a free will donation . Contributions will help cover their time and travel from New York to join us for the afternoon.

Dave Frank is an accomplished jazz pianist and educator, renowned as one of the busiest solo jazz pianists on the scene today. He served as a piano professor at Berklee College of Music and co-founded the New York School of Jazz, establishing his reputation as a top mentor for upcoming jazz musicians. Early in his career, Frank studied under the great Lennie Tristano, and he carries forward his mentor’s innovative spirit in his own playing – known for deft improvisation and a signature left-hand walking bass style that can bring down the house.

https://www.davefrankjazz.com/

Harvey Diamond is a revered jazz pianist who has graced the Boston jazz scene for decades, known for music that is both deeply intricate and deeply emotional to even the casual listener. He was among Lennie Tristano’s final students in the 1970s, and over the years he has performed with NEA Jazz Masters such as vocalist Sheila Jordan, saxophonist Dave Liebman, and trumpeter Art Farmer. Often hailed as a “musician’s musician,” Diamond brings a heartfelt, nuanced touch to every performance – the kind of playing that leaves audiences spellbound with its mix of passion and finesse.

Lennie Tristano (1919–1978) was a groundbreaking jazz pianist and an influential teacher whose legacy ties directly into this concert. A virtuoso who overcame blindness to become one of the leading educators in jazz, Tristano opened one of the first jazz schools in the early 1950s and devoted most of his life to teaching improvisation. As a pianist, he mastered bebop’s complexities but also explored new musical directions – pioneering freer improvisation and a “cool” jazz atmosphere well ahead of his time. Tristano’s students included many jazz greats (for example, saxophonist Lee Konitz), and his innovative approach lives on through protégés like Dave Frank and Harvey Diamond. This concert is a chance to hear that living legacy in action, as two of Tristano’s pupils create jazz magic together in real time.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear two jazz masters at the height of their craft. Whether you’re a die-hard jazz enthusiast or simply a fan of great piano music, this two-piano showcase will be a thrilling experience for all. Expect virtuosic improvisation, interwoven melodies, and infectious swing rhythms as Dave Frank and Harvey Diamond pay tribute to their mentor’s legacy while forging new musical adventures on the spot. Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of piano jazz — and bring your friends to share in the excitement!

We look forward to seeing you on August 17th at 3:00 PM for “Two Grands, Four Hands” – it’s an afternoon you won’t want to miss!