Jazz pianist John Stetch performs at Ukrainian Institute of America (01/10/99)

Jazz pianist John Stetch performs at Ukrainian Institute of America

by Mary Pressey

NEW YORK - There is no doubt that John Stetch's rendition of his highly innovative and compelling works at the piano stirs one to the height of rapture. Performing at the Ukrainian Institute of America on November 21, 1998, as part of a trio, with Mark Turner on saxophone and Johaness Weidenmueller on bass, Mr. Stetch's brilliant jazz works were nothing short of supreme.

Mr. Stetch, born Ivan Stechisin, has received accolades for his outstanding performances in his native Canada, but is little known to the Ukrainian American. His humble beginnings are rooted in Edmonton, where his parents, totally immersed in Ukrainian culture, inspired him to participate in Ukrainian choral singing, dancing and music. He attended Ukrainian cultural camps for several summers, and joined and performed in the Ukrainian wedding band Dumka for many years.

Recently he was awarded a rare medal by the metropolitan of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church in Canada for outstanding achievement and inspiration to the Ukrainian Canadian community.

Mr. Stetch first played the saxophone, graduating to piano at age 17. Mr. Stetch's interest in piano-playing came from his need to more fully bring out his talent. He had a feel for the keyboard, its intricate sound vibrations and the inner knowledge that, with practice, wonderful works could be accomplished.

In 1988 Mr. Stetch attended McGill University in Montreal, from which he received a bachelor of music degree in jazz piano with high distinction in 1991.

He also began his performing career in Montreal. He was a guest on Peter Gzoski's renowned morning talk show and recorded frequently for CBC's "Jazzbeat." He was a guest on Marian McPartland's NPR program "Piano Jazz" and has recorded four CDs as a leader, two of which have been nominated for a Juno award. He has earned second place in the International Thelonius Monk Competition for his composition skills.

In 1992 Mr. Stetch moved to New York and has since performed and recorded with such notables as Rufus Reid, Akira Tana and Billy Hart. Recently he received the prestigious honor of being added to the roster of Steinway Artists and was the winner of the 1998 Prix de Jazz du Maurier, awarded at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, for best Canadian ensemble.

Accolades for his outstanding performances have been constant and most generous in the Canadian press and radio.

According to Geoff Chapman of the Toronto Star, "His roaming delivery echoes Monk, Jarrett and early Kenny Kirkland - you measure the stretch of Mr. Stetch by new piano melodies, of course, but more so by the innovative harmonies and unexpected structures."

Roger Levesque of the Edmonton Journal states "Edmonton has turned out one of the best young pianists and composers in the country," while Peter Hadekel of the Montreal Gazette wrote of his work: "Some of the best jazz you're likely to hear on either side of the Canadian-U.S. border."

Mr. Stetch performed the concert at the Ukrainian Institute of America in conjunction with the release of his CD "Kolomeyka Fantasy," a collection of Ukrainian selections interpreted through his own jazz piano stylings.

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