Grand Pianoramax is an experimental keyboard and drums bands conceived by Leo Tardin. The band consists of Tardin and

Dominik Burkhalter Dominik Burkhalter (born 1975 in Zurich) is a Swiss bandleader, composer and drummer. Life He started playing the drums in 1982, and began his studies at the Jazz School Lucerne in 1995, where he majored in drums in 1999. Dominik Burkhalter f ...

and features guests, often including Mike Ladd and

Black Cracker Black is a color which results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without hue, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness. Black and white have o ...

Biography

The 2005 self-titled debut album features Tardin with drummer Jojo Mayer (and two tracks with Ferenc Nemeth on drums). Grand Pianoramax's second album ''The Biggest Piano in Town'' employs the likes of drummers Deantoni Parks and Adam Deitch and expanded personnel to include guest vocals, raps and spoken word from Mike Ladd, Black Cracker, Invincible, and Spleen. At the same time as the album ''The Biggest Piano in Town'' was commercially released in the U.S. and Canada, Grand Pianoramax went on a ten-city tour in the U.S. opening for Maceo Parker and then performed at festivals in Europe (most notably at a showcase night featuring the Andy Milne & Gregoire Maret duo, and Grand Pianoramax with Spleen & Bleubird at the 2008 Montreux Jazz Festival). Zurich-based

had become the official drummer for the band. Grand Pianoramax's third album, ''Smooth Danger'', was recorded and mixed between Mumbai, Berlin, Paris and Bristol (and mastered by Shawn Joseph, collaborator of Portishead). It was released in Europe and the U.S. in October 2010, and featured long-time collaborators Mike Ladd, Black Cracker, and for the first time Karsh Kale on tabla.

Leo Tardin

Leo Tardin, a native of Geneva, Switzerland, won the first Montreux Jazz Festival International Solo Piano Competition in 1999. He graduated from New School University in 2000 and spent ten in New York City. He moved to Berlin in 2009 for the production of his third album. He has performed with musicians like Roy Ayers,

Frank Morgan Francis Phillip Wuppermann (June 1, 1890 – September 18, 1949), known professionally as Frank Morgan, was an American character actor. He was best known for his appearances in films starting in the silent era in 1916, and then numerous soun ...

, Toots Thielemans,

Charles Tolliver Charles Tolliver (born 1942) is an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and co-founder of Strata East Records. Biography Tolliver was born in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1942 and moved with his family to New York City when he was 10. During his chi ...

, Dave Liebman, Enrico Rava, Maria João, Erik Truffaz, Gregoire Maret and Paula Oliveira.

Discography

* ''Grand Pianoramax'', (

ObliqSound ObliqSound is a record label in New York City. It was founded by Tobias Tanner, Michele Locatelli, and Ralf Schmid. They studied music together at the New School in Manhattan. Their intent with Obliqsound is to produce musicians with a background ...

, 2005) * "Starlite 12" Single", (ObliqSound 2005) * ''The Biggest Piano in Town'', (ObliqSound, 2008) * "The Hook (Remixes)" digital single, (ObliqSound, 2008) * "The Hook (Remixes)" 12" vinyl single, (ObliqSound, 2009) * ''Smooth Danger'', (ObliqSound, 2010) * ''Till There's Nothing Left'', (ObliqSound, 2013)

References

External links

Official WebsiteGrand Pianoramax
at

Bandcamp
{{Authority control Experimental musical groups Musical groups established in 2005