++ NOT COMPLETED - CODING STILL IN PROGRESS - PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION ++

For those not in the know, a pianist known for his expressive touch, rich harmonies and lyrical improvisations, Bijan Taghavi is emerging as a distinctive solo artist while maintaining an international career as a collaborator and a leading voice in jazz education.

As a collaborator, Bijan has worked with many of Jazz’s most celebrated icons including Rodney Whitaker, Carmen Lundy, Luther Hughes, Joe Lovano, Stefon Harris, Lewis Nash, Joe LaBarbera and John Webber, as well as prominent next-generation voices such as Allen Dennard, Erena Terakubo, Giveton Gelin, Roxy Coss, Altin Sencalar, Tyreek McDole and Will Lyle. He also curated a Duo Series at the National Arts Club NYC, which included collaborations with Dick Oatts, Rich Perry and Jay Anderson.

As a leader, Bijan has entertained audiences across the United States, Japan, Mexico and Europe with his Trio and as a solo pianist. His trio recordings with bassist Will Lyle - TrioGram and TrioGram II ft. Joe LaBarbera — have been hailed as “one of the most refreshing piano trio records in some time” (The Big Takeover).

While equally at home in duo, trio and larger group formats, Bijan has increasingly made his mark as a solo pianist—an arena often described as the pinnacle of jazz piano expression for its vulnerability and scope. His solo performances have been praised for their orchestral depth, dynamic range and use of all 88 keys to paint a variety of moods.

Solo jazz piano is the pinnacle of freedom and expression. It is a daunting arena that many jazz pianists often do not dare to explore because there is no room to hide - just like the Saguaro cactus - every note and every decision is exposed.

Thus here on Bijan’s upcoming solo piano release Cactus Sessions (due out January 9th, 2026) one of the most special aspects of the album is the piano itself. Dan Delaney’s Yamaha C3. This piano truly brings out the best in his playing and inspires him to explore all the possibilities of sound: loud vs soft, high vs low, dense vs sparse.

This piano also holds sentimental value for him as it was the first piano he attempted to play jazz on 10 years ago during a prodigy concert series that Dan featured him in. That pivotal moment changed the trajectory of his life, and now, a decade later, it must feel like a full-circle moment for him.

1. Wave - Antonio Carlos Jobim (07:02)
2. I Should Care - Axel Stordahl & Paul Weston (05:19)
3. I’ll Remember April - Gene de Paul (05:23)
4. Peace - Horace Silver (05:52)
5. Have You Met Miss Jones - Richard Rogers (04:28)
6. Ask Me Now - Thelonious Monk (06:27)
7. East of the Sun - Brooks Bowman (06:51)
8. Desafinado - Antonio Carlos Jobim (08:04)

With the album gifting us layered levels of intellectually sophisticated languages of jazz, up first is the __________ of Wave and the _____________ of I Should Care, and then we get the _____ of I’ll Remember April, the _____________ of Peace, the ___________ of Have You Met Miss Jones, the set rounding out on the ____________ of Ask Me Now, the ____________ of East of the Sun, coming to a close on the ____________ of Desafinado.