Alan Broadbent facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alan Broadbent MNZM
Broadbent in 2008
Background information
Birth name	Alan Leonard Broadbent
Born	(1947-04-23) 23 April 1947 (age 78) Auckland, New Zealand
Genres	Jazz
Occupation(s)	Musician, arranger, composer
Instruments	Piano
Years active	1974–present
Labels	Granite, Trend, Concord Jazz
Associated acts	Charlie Haden, Natalie Cole

Alan Broadbent is a talented musician from New Zealand. He was born on April 23, 1947. He is famous for playing jazz piano. He also arranges music and writes his own songs. Alan has worked with many well-known artists. These include Natalie Cole and Charlie Haden.

Early Life and Learning Music

Alan Broadbent was born in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1947. He started learning piano and music theory there. Music theory is about understanding how music is built. In 1966, he moved to the United States. He went to the Berklee College of Music. This is a famous school for musicians.

His Amazing Music Career

Alan Broadbent has had a very successful career. In the 1990s, he worked with the famous singer Natalie Cole. He played piano on her album Unforgettable... with Love. He then became her pianist and conductor for her tours. A conductor leads the musicians.

Alan won a special award called a Grammy Award. This was for his arrangement of Natalie Cole's song "When I Fall in Love." An arrangement is how a song is put together for different instruments. He also won another Grammy Award. This was for his arrangement of "Lonely Town" by Leonard Bernstein. The singer Shirley Horn recorded this song.

Alan also helped with music for other famous artists. He arranged songs for Glenn Frey's album After Hours. He also worked on Paul McCartney's album Kisses on the Bottom. He has even been a conductor for Diana Krall.

In 2008, Alan received a special honor in New Zealand. He was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. This award recognized his great work in jazz music.

In 2013, his solo piano album Heart to Heart got a top rating. Down Beat magazine gave it five stars. This magazine is very important in the jazz world.

Some of His Music

Alan Broadbent has released many albums. He has made music as a leader and also helped other artists.

As a Leader or Co-Leader

When Alan is the leader, it means he is the main artist. He often plays piano with a small group.

• Live at Maybeck Recital Hall, Volume Fourteen (1991) – This was a solo piano concert.
• Personal Standards (1996) – This album was nominated for a Grammy Award.
• You and the Night and the Music (2002) – This album also received a Grammy nomination.
• 'Round Midnight (2005) – Another album nominated for a Grammy Award.
• Heart to Heart (2012) – This was a solo piano album.

Working with Other Artists

Alan has also played piano or arranged music for many other musicians.

With Natalie Cole

• Unforgettable... with Love (1991)
• Stardust (1996)

With Charlie Haden

• Quartet West (1987)
• Haunted Heart (1991)
• American Dreams (2002)

With Woody Herman

• Brand New (1971)
• Thundering Herd (1974)

With Irene Kral

• Where Is Love? (1974)
• Gentle Rain (1978)

See also

• List of music arrangers