Art Telli and Al G. pick my brain-11/25/25
- jezgraham
- Nov 26
- 11 min read
Jez Graham has been sharing solo piano videos on his Instagram, Website, and mostly on his TikTok page. While he hasn’t released a full album of new material since 2023, He has put out a few releases of archival material on his Bandcamp page and on all streaming outlets, most recently (2024) original music he composed and played for his brother's travel/photo tips show
Jez's focus in the last quarter of 2024 has been on home piano videos (actually done on a home keyboard) representing ideas that came to fruition during his marathon sets at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport, which are refined and blended into the short video selections he records at home. One of these songs will form the basis of a new recording of a 48-year-old chart he says he found in his archives that was never recorded but was written for his Bay Area collective, The Rainbow Quartet, a group he co-led with Will Bernard and Don Rowlands. The song is called Folk Variety’s and the video features certain artifacts on the keyboard that represent some pivotal moments.
What's the story behind the artifacts?
The artifacts on the music stand appear to be mementos from James Jez Graham's past, including parts of his practice routine and a concert in Long Beach with The Legendary Ladies of Rock and Roll that he won't forget. It seems like he's using these artifacts to tell a story alongside his song
"Folk Varieties," which he wrote about 48 years ago. The mix of music and memories adds a personal touch to his post.
Other new selections include “Rainy Day Blues” aka "Old Man Plays The Blues" and “The Gentle Art Of Cinnamon Eggs”.
Solo Work: In 2004, Jez recorded a solo piano tribute to Brian Wilson called "Jez Loves You." It remains unreleased; however, he released a digital single of the classic Brian Wilson waltz “ Solar System” in 2010. He released "You Can Soar" in 2006, an album of original songs cowritten with poet/lyricist Stephen Kalinich.
Music Style: Jez's music spans multiple genres, including jazz, piano-driven compositions, and inspirational music.
Notable Works: Some of his notable songs include "Goodness" and "Pleasure Island."
Jez has also released albums like
"Lovebrain”, “Lovebrain 2”, “JezJazz”, “JezPop”, “Percolate”, “In A Pine Groove”, and “Trying To Take A Picture Of The Moon”,
showcasing his talent as a composer and pianist.
Collaborations: Jez has worked with other musicians, including:
Mike Hinton on drums
Emrah Kotan on drums
Fred Crosby who he met and bonded with on a 1979 tour of Japan with the R+ B/Rock/ Disco band Between The Two, on background vocals
Bill Graham and Janna Graham on the album "Enjoy Each Leaf That Falls"
Projects: He has participated in various music projects, including a session at East West Studios in Hollywood, California, with original Beach Boy David Marks and an all-star band, as well as David Marks And The Summertime Blues Band Live at Eddie's Attic, which is available on David’s Bandcamp page.
Music Platforms: You can find Jez’s music on streaming outlets, Bandcamp, and YouTube playlists like "The Sound of Jez Graham".
For more information on Jez Graham's music and upcoming projects, you can check out his official website or social media profiles.
Percolate: A piano and voice album with original songs that tell the story of his life, philosophy, and spirituality.
The Sound of Jez Graham: A collection of music, including full performances with Col. Bruce and a solo piano tribute to Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys, available on SoundCloud.
Live Performances:
Enjoy Each Leaf That Falls: An archival live recording from 2014 featuring Jez, Bill, and Janna Graham.
Solo Piano at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport: A stream-of-consciousness performance where he plays without preparation, focusing on healing and musical therapy for travelers.
Jez Graham's piano compositions showcase his versatility in various genres, including jazz and classical. Here are some notable works:
Jazz Compositions:
In A Pine Groove: An album of original jazz compositions inspired by places he's lived and loved, featuring Emrah Kotan on drums. You can find it on Bandcamp.
The Gentle Art Of Cinnamon Eggs: A recent composition, as seen in his Facebook post and on his YouTube channel.
Piano Albums:
Percolate: A piano and voice album with original songs that tell the story of his life, philosophy, and spirituality.
The Sound of Jez Graham: A collection of music, including full performances with Col. Bruce and a solo piano tribute to Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys,
Notable Releases:
Percolate (April 1, 2022): A solo album featuring 23 original songs, showcasing his piano-driven sound and emotive vocals.
The Jez Graham Collection (July 1, 2022): A 50-song retrospective that demonstrates his impressive range and depth as a songwriter.
In A Pine Groove (April 30, 2024): An instrumental jazz duo album with Emrah Kotan, inspired by places he's lived and loved.
Enjoy Each Leaf That Falls (October 1, 2024): A live album featuring Jez Graham, Bill, and Janna Graham, recorded at the Red Clay Theater in 2014.
Then The Light Turned Green (November 27, 2024) and Trying To Take A Picture Of The Moon: Recent singles that showcase his continued creativity and artistry.
Collaborations:
Surrender-Live At Eddie's Attic (January 31, 2025): A live performance with Francine Reed and the Jez Graham Trio, featuring a blend of jazz and soul.
LOVEBRAIN: An album featuring Jez Graham's song "Pleasure Island", which highlights his ability to craft catchy and meaningful pop songs.
Style and Influences:
Jez Graham's music often incorporates elements of jazz, pop, and soul, with a strong focus on storytelling and lyrical depth. His piano-driven sound is reminiscent of classic singer-songwriters, while his jazz influences add to his flow. Jez Graham's music style is a blend of jazz, pop, and singer-songwriter genres. Here's a breakdown of his musical approach:
Jazz Influences: His album "In A Pine Groove" features original jazz
compositions with a duo partner on drums, showcasing his jazz roots. The song structures, like the 13-bar blues in one of his tracks, demonstrate his jazz background.
Singer-Songwriter: Graham's music often incorporates storytelling through lyrics, as seen in his solo album "Percolate", which features 23 original songs with piano and vocals.
Collaborations and Versatility: He has worked with various artists, including Col.
Bruce Hampton, Francine Reed, and David Marks showcase his ability to adapt to different musical styles.
Instrumental and Vocal Work: Jez
Graham is a skilled pianist and singer, often performing live at venues like
Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and the Red Clay Theater.
Some notable releases that highlight his music style include 1 2:
"In A Pine Groove" (2024): An instrumental jazz duo album with Emrah Kotan
"Percolate" (2022): A solo album featuring original songs with piano and vocals
"The Jez Graham Collection" (2022): A
50-song retrospective showcasing his range and diversity
Overall, Jez Graham's music style is characterized by his jazz foundation, singer-songwriter sensibilities, and versatility in collaborations and performances.
Jez Graham's piano compositions showcase his versatility in jazz, classical, and soulful music. Here are some notable works:
Jazz Compositions:
In A Pine Groove: An album of original jazz compositions inspired by places he's lived and loved, featuring Emrah Kotan on drums.
The Gentle Art of Cinnamon Eggs: A composition available on his Facebook post.
Piano Albums:
Percolate: A piano and voice album with original songs that tell the story of his life and philosophy, incorporating humor, spiritual themes, and extensive piano playing.
Enjoy Each Leaf That Falls: An archival live recording featuring Jez, Bill, and Janna Graham, released on October 1st, 2024.
Attention to Detail: Kerr stresses the importance of tasting and adjusting seasoning, indicating a focus on detail to ensure the best flavors. This attention to detail could be part of Jez Graham's approach, especially if "The Gentle Art" implies a thoughtful and deliberate process.
Sharing and Community: Kerr's philosophy highlights sharing meals with others as a fundamental aspect of humanity. Jez Graham's post might be hinting at a similar philosophy, where cooking is not just about sustenance but about connecting with others and though he says he is not good at cooking other than the Tocheezlet which he developed in the early 70’s based on his love of Tofu, Cheese, and Eggs and his signature dish Cinnamon Eggs which he made at the request of his wife while she was recovering from a bout with Mogo on the Gogogo in 2024 and especially inspired by her favorite tv show “The Gentle Art Of Swedish Death Cleaning, he tends to stay out of the kitchen other than doing the dishes which he considers a zen honor and a high art form in the study of balance and harmony.
Albums and releases: He has released several albums, including The Jez Graham Collection (2022), Percolate (2022), and In a Pine Groove (2024), an instrumental jazz duo album.
Notable collaborations: Graham has worked with a number of musicians, including the late musical iconoclast Col. Bruce Hampton.
Public performances: In addition to playing at various venues around Atlanta, Graham regularly performs at The Piano Bar in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
The album Jez/Jazz
Release: The 17-track album was released on August 12, 2022.
Featured artists: The album features several guest musicians, including Bill Hatcher, Joel Morris, Sam Skelton, Bob Lewis, Peter Grant, Mike Hinton, Ramon Pooser, Will Bernard, Don Rowlands, Chuck Sher, Chuck Clark, and John Sauer. It compiles Jez’s favorite Jazz compositions, going all the way back to The Rainbow Quartet(1978) up to his favorite trios and larger ensembles of the 1990s and 2000s.
Availability: Jez/Jazz can be purchased or streamed on Apple Music, Amazon.com, and Spotify.
The album Jez/Pop by Jez Graham features a pop style characterized by its accessibility and piano-driven melodies, influenced by the classic rock, soul, and pop music of his youth. As a prolific singer-songwriter and arranger, Graham incorporates a wide range of his own compositions into the album, showcasing his diverse musical roots.
Key aspects of the album's pop style include:
Piano-driven arrangements: The music is centered around Graham's piano playing, a core part of his musical identity as showcased on his earlier solo album, Percolate.
Catchy melodies and hooks: Drawing from the upbeat, accessible nature of classic pop and rock, the songs on Jez/Pop are crafted to be radio-friendly and memorable.
Lyrical storytelling: The album features original songs from Graham's decades-long career. Some of his lyrics, co-written with his wife Mindy, tell stories about his life and philosophy.
Collaborative spirit: The album includes various guest collaborators, such as drummer and percussionist Victor Bisetti, Power Pop pioneers Tommy Dunbar and Jon Rubin, and Jez and Mindy’s talented offspring, Bill and Janna Graham, adding depth and varied instrumentation to the tracks.
Genre blending: While primarily pop, Graham's extensive background in jazz, blues, and funk is likely to inform the album's sound, creating a sophisticated and eclectic blend.
Graham's decades of experience playing pop, rock, and soul standards, as well as his collaborations with artists like David Marks of The Beach Boys, have profoundly influenced his approach to crafting accessible, original pop music for the album.
Trying to take a picture of the moon
Jez Graham's compilation “Trying To Take A Picture Of The Moon” was released on November 20, 2024, and is available for streaming on platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.
About Jez Graham and the album
Background: Jez Graham has been an active member of the Atlanta music scene since 1988 and is known for playing the piano at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Recent releases: His recent releases include the EP Then The Light Turned Green and the nine-song album Trying To Take A Picture Of The Moon, which has a runtime of 37 minutes and features “Gratitude”, the song of Thanksgiving he wrote with his wife Mindy for a 2004 Unity service.
Inspiration: An Instagram post from May 2025 hints at the album's theme, with the text "#tryingtotakeapictureofthemoonthenthelightturnedgreen" accompanying a photo taken from the airport's SkyTrain. This implies the album title was inspired by a moment of trying to photograph the moon while on the people mover.
Jez Graham is a musician who is working on an upcoming album that will feature a song titled "Folk Varieties". This suggests an interest in exploring different types of folk music, or simply that the specific song itself incorporates a variety of folk elements.
While Graham has connections to the folk music world and has played at venues and events that also feature folk artists, his primary musical profile is diverse, incorporating elements of jazz, pop, rock, blues, and his own original singer-songwriter material. He is known as a prolific songwriter and a skilled pianist, particularly for his solo piano performances at the Atlanta airport.
His work in "folk varieties" appears to be part of a forthcoming project that will feature duo improvisations and compositions recorded virtually with long-time friend and former co-leader of The Rainbow Quartet, Will Bernard. The exact nature of these "varieties" is not fully detailed in current information, beyond Graham's personal description of the song which he says is a 48 year old chart he recently came across in his archives of a never recorded song he wrote for The Rainbow Quartet that was never recorded.
His general musical background includes:
Original Jazz instrumentals
Pop/Rock covers and originals (e.g., Elton John, Brian Wilson, Stevie Wonder, Grateful Dead, Paul McCartney, Prince, Frank Zappa covers and a whole lot of Jazz standards)
Collaborations in diverse genres (e.g., with Col. Bruce Hampton, who was known for an eclectic mix of roots music, jazz, and rock)
In summary, Jez Graham's "folk varieties" refers to a specific song and potential future album project that will likely explore aspects of the folk genre within his broader, multi-genre musical style.
🎹 Jez Graham's "All Quiet On The Western Front" Video
The video is a performance where Jez Graham plays a solo piano cover of the song written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. He mentions on his blog that this song was a favorite "deep cut" he learned and documented at his home studio.
Platform: The video is available on his YouTube channel, which features other music performances and personal musings.
Focus: The video focuses on his musical interpretation of the song, not a literary or historical analysis of Erich Maria Remarque's novel or its various film adaptations (such as the 1930, 1979, or 2022 versions).
Jez Graham is an Atlanta-based pianist who performs at the Piano Bar in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. He is a singer, songwriter, composer, and arranger who has been a fixture on the Atlanta music scene since 1988.
About Jez Graham
Performance location: You can find him playing piano at the Piano Bar on Concourse E of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. He also sometimes performs on Concourse A.
Schedule: His regular schedule at the airport is on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Tuesdays, with other selected dates as well.
Career highlights: Graham has performed with musicians like Col. Bruce Hampton and Francine Reed. Since beginning his airport gig in 2018, he has called it his "all-time favorite gig".
Original music: As a prolific artist, he has released multiple albums of original music, including "Percolate" (2022) and "The Jez Graham Collection" (2022).
Website: For more information on his music and performance updates, you can visit his official website.
Key aspects of his personal philosophy and approach to life and music include:
Resilience and Growth: Graham believes that struggles and rejections are important parts of life that make a person stronger and more resolute. He is grateful for the "ups and downs" and views setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow.
Embracing the Moment of Creation: He finds challenge and inspiration in the act of musical creation at the piano, constantly striving to explore and go further in the moment.
Music as Therapy and Connection: Graham describes his work playing piano at the airport as a form of "music therapy in real time," highlighting the gratifying exchange of energy with travelers and the positive impact music has on people.
Embodied Experience: While not a "philosopher" in the traditional sense, his work in music and the related ideas of other people named Graham touch on the idea that mind and body are an integrated whole, and that thoughts are sensorial, embodied experiences.
Thanks to Art Telli and Al G. for picking my brain (and my soul).
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