On Sunday Sept. 23 at 2 pm, noted jazz pianist Noah Haidu will perform with his jazz trio, featuring Tom Pollard on drums and Tim Ferguson on upright bass, at River Arts in Damariscotta. 

Haidu, 46, has been widely recognized as an important new voice in jazz. Critics have called him “adventurous and soulful”, “a daring improviser and a state-of-the-art songwriter”.  Noah was named a Rising Star by Downbeat Magazine and JazzTimes, while New York Times writer Giovanni Russonello described him as “A performer with focus and vision.”  

His ambitious 2017 CD release “Infinite Distances” (Cellar Live) received 4-1/2 stars in Downbeat, classifying the album as ”somewhere between excellent and masterpiece,”  while calling him an “innovative composer.” Downbeat also published an article about Noah entitled “Subversive Soul,” and named his release a Critics Pick.  

On stage he has captivated audiences around the country and abroad with his artistic vision and breathtaking improvisational style. Noah has played in New York City at The Blue Note, Jazz at Lincoln Center and Birdland, performing and recording with such jazz heavyweights as Ambrose Akinmusire, Mike Stern, Jeremy Pelt, Benny Golson, and many others.

And the jazz press has been raving about him: “Unquestionably one of the most confident and impressive of all the new pianists ... Haidu is an important new talent,” says Jazzwise Magazine.  “The cat can play his butt off.” All About Jazz.  “In New York’s vibrant jazz scene...Haidu is one of the finest young jazz lions ...” - Jazz Times. 

At the River Arts performance, Noah’s repertoire will be drawn from two different upcoming recording projects: American Songbook Standards, and new music for a thematic recording project which will be released next year in conjunction with a non-fiction book he is writing.   

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door.  Refreshments will be served.  For more information, visit the River Arts website: www.riverartsme.org.  River Arts is located at 241 U.S. Route 1 north.