Three-time Grammy nominee David Chesky has earned great respect for his fresh and unique approach to musical compositions, which span the jazz and classical genres. The New York Times raves, "Chesky combines a gritty sophistication with street-level energy and currents of exotic folkishness". Chesky's series of 18 modern virtuoso solo piano rags are inspired by life in the bustling and intense metropolis of New York City, a place he has called home since 1974. <p>The work seems to owe as much to Henry Cowell and Charles Ives' use of dissonance, Elliott Carter's atonalism, Conlon Nancarrow's experimental piano rolls, Leonard Bernstein's syncopation, and Cecil Taylor's whirlwind free jazz as they do to Joplin's ragtime classics. These pieces fuse David Chesky's unique rhythmic and harmonic style of composition, with stride piano and ragtime to capture the everyday life of modern pulsating New York City.</p> <p>Personnel: David Chesky (piano)</p>