David Hazeltine

by Jason AnkenyJazz pianist David Hazeltine was born and raised in Milwaukee, making his professional debut at age 13 and going on to gig extensively in Chicago and Minneapolis as well. Serving as the house pianist at the Milwaukee Jazz Gallery, he backed luminaries including Eddie Harris, Sonny Stitt and Chet Baker, the latter encouraging Hazeltine to further pursue his career by relocating to New York City; arriving there in 1992, he formed his own trio with drummer Louis Hayes and bassist Peter Washington, additionally serving as musical director for Marlena Shaw and playing with Slide Hampton's Jazz Masters Big Band as well as the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band. With tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, Hazeltine also helmed the group One for All; as a headliner, he made his debut in 1995 with Four Flights Up, followed two years later by The Classic Trio. He resurfaced in 1998 with How It Is, issuing The World for Her the next year. Blues Quarters, Vol. 1 was released in August 2000.