Star-Bulletin
Thirteen-year-old jazz pianist Taylor Eigsti would
like to write a movie score someday.
Jazz prodigy
plays for HUGS
By Tim Ryan
Star-BulletinSo what were you doing at age 13?
Probably not opening for jazz great David Benoit; probably not preparing to play with another jazz great, Dave Brubeck. Probably not also being your graduating class's valedictorian or your school's basketball MVP.
"I listened to a lot of jazz when I was young like 3 and 4," Taylor Eigsti said from his northern California home. "I always liked the freedom that jazz gives you. It lets you do your own thing."
Eigsti's first professional performance was at age 8, opening for Benoit. Last summer he sat in with jazz vocalist Diane Schuur's band at Villa Montalvo in Saratoga, Calif.
This summer Eigsti will teach music theory at the San Jose State Jazz Camp, and perform at the San Jose Jazz Festival in August, then with Brubeck Sept. 20 at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga. He'll also attend the Stanford University basketball camp.
Right now the eighth-grader is more nervous about tonight's valedictorian speech at Woodside Priory in Portola Valley.
"I'm not too great at writing speeches, or talking to large groups," he says. "It's a lot easier to play the piano."
As for the NBA finals, Eigsti reluctantly is rooting for the Chicago Bulls.
"I'm a big (Houston) Rockets fan and the Jazz beat them, but I also hate the Bulls," he said. "If it was up to me I'd make them both loose, but I'll vote for Jordan so he can get his sixth (championship) trophy."
Taylor Eigsti
The jazz pianist performs "Playing for Time," a benefit for HUGS (Help, Understanding, and Group Support for sick children and their families):
When: 7:45 p.m. tomorrow and Saturday, with pianist Ginny Tiu, Sheraton Moana Surfrider, Banyan Veranda. Also 8 a.m. Saturday, Perry & Price Breakfast Show, Hanohano Room, Sheraton Waikiki; 10 a.m. and 8:40 p.m. Sunday, Hanohano Room, Sheraton Waikiki; 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, 8:30-10 p.m. Wednesday and 5-7 p.m. June 11, Royal Hawaiian's Mai Tai Bar.
