New England-native Sarah Jane Cion's career may be young but she has already demonstrated the chops of a seasoned piano player. Tasteful, rhythmic and lyrical, Cion has both range and maturity on Moon Song, her Naxos Jazz release.
This is her second full-length album after the debut of her independent Indeed!. Whether it's the gentle stroll of "A Pond Beneath The Moon" or the Latin charge of "Samba Picara", Cion shows dynamic abilities. Aided on several tracks by Grammy-nominated (for 1999 Best Jazz Instrumental Solo) Chris Potter's wonderfully warm tone on tenor saxophone, Cion deftly goes from strength to strength.
Of the compositions on Moon Song, Cion also shows her compositions prowess writing seven of the tracks. Upbeat and spirited one minute, reflective and intuitive the next. Closing out her record with a solo medley, Cion shows she needs no accompaniment to be expressive and musical. And more than a player, the mostly self-composed recording reveals her strong sense of melody.
A 1990 graduate of New England Conservatory with honors and distinction, Cion is one of the most talented young new American pianists to arrive in years. She has already toured internationally across Germany, Israel, Portugal, Japan and America. She was the winner of the 17th annual Great American Jazz Piano Competition judged by greats like Kenny Barron, Benny Green, Horace Silver and Ellis Marsalis Jr in 1999. In addition, her stylish playing and personality makes her a talent to watch.
Growing up, Cion was already playing ragtime on the piano at the age of seven and studied classical until 14. Cion was a Boston Jazz Society Award recipient in 1988 and has received three consecutive National Endowment for the Arts study grants. In 1991, she moved to New York City in 1991. She has performed with Clark Terry, Don Braden, Santi Debriano, Ron McClure and Lonnie Plaxico. Cion is married to Moon Song's bassist Phil Palombi.
