Dan Tepfer has made a name for himself as a pianist and composer of wide-ranging ambition, individuality, and drive — “a remarkable musician” in the words of The Washington Post. The New York City-based Tepfer has performed with some of the leading lights in jazz, including extensively with veteran saxophone luminary Lee Konitz.

As a leader, Tepfer has crafted a discography already striking for its breadth and depth, ranging from probing solo improvisation and intimate duets to richly layered trio albums of original compositions.

For his 2011 album, Goldberg Variations / Variations, the jazz pianist follows his performance of each of Bach's original variations with an improvised variation of his own to “build a bridge across centuries and genres” (Wall Street Journal) in “an impressive feat that keeps coming back to a hearty and abiding respect” (New York Times).

As a composer, he is a recipient of the Charles Ives Fellowship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters for works. He also received first prize and audience prize at the Montreux Jazz Festival Solo Piano Competition, first prize at the East Coast Jazz Festival Competition, and the Cole Porter Fellowship from the American Pianists Association.

This is no stunt, but a fresh musical exploration," writes Anthony Tommasini in the New York Times. Praising a "riveting and inspired, brilliant performance” at Le Poisson Rouge, he concludes, "I bet Bach would recognize a kindred spirit in Mr. Tepfer."

Goldberg Variations/Variations has been inspiring similar reactions from critics around the world.

A benefit for Adaptations Dance Theater

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