Jazz Musician. A respected pianist and composer, she shall be remembered for her work in both traditional and avant garde Jazz. Born Constance Rhea Crothers, she was raised in the Bay Area, studied piano from age 9, majored in composition Cal Berkeley, and after moving to New York in 1962 settled in Jamaica, Queens and began a 10 year professional association with Lennie Tristano (1919-1978). During her time with the brilliant but sometimes controversial Tristano, she gave a number of private recitals, then in 1973 made her 'public' debut with a solo recital at Carnegie Hall. Also in 1973, she recorded her hit album "Perception" for Steeple Chase Records. Following Tristano's death, Connie founded the Lennie Tristano Jazz Foundation to mentor and sponsor young musicans. She formed her own New Artists Records in 1982, bowing with "Swish", a joint effort with drummer Max Roach, and thereafter published all of her own records on that label. Connie had her own quartet which often included Lennie's daughter Carol on drums and appeared on a regular basis at major Jazz venues throughout the world. In later years she settled in Manhattan where she remained active as a teacher and performer; at her death from lung cancer she left a quite substantial recorded legacy, while New Artists records remained in operation.
Jazz Musician. A respected pianist and composer, she shall be remembered for her work in both traditional and avant garde Jazz. Born Constance Rhea Crothers, she was raised in the Bay Area, studied piano from age 9, majored in composition Cal Berkeley, and after moving to New York in 1962 settled in Jamaica, Queens and began a 10 year professional association with Lennie Tristano (1919-1978). During her time with the brilliant but sometimes controversial Tristano, she gave a number of private recitals, then in 1973 made her 'public' debut with a solo recital at Carnegie Hall. Also in 1973, she recorded her hit album "Perception" for Steeple Chase Records. Following Tristano's death, Connie founded the Lennie Tristano Jazz Foundation to mentor and sponsor young musicans. She formed her own New Artists Records in 1982, bowing with "Swish", a joint effort with drummer Max Roach, and thereafter published all of her own records on that label. Connie had her own quartet which often included Lennie's daughter Carol on drums and appeared on a regular basis at major Jazz venues throughout the world. In later years she settled in Manhattan where she remained active as a teacher and performer; at her death from lung cancer she left a quite substantial recorded legacy, while New Artists records remained in operation.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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