Live, in person! The Harvey Diamond Quartet with Phil Grenadier, Jon Dreyer, Austin McMahon

Real jazz, real people, real venue.

Pianist Diamond, among the last students of the legendary Lennie Tristano, improvises with beguiling intelligence and heart. — Kevin Lowenthal, Boston Globe
When I attend a jazz concert, I don’t expect the musicians to be “inspired” every time. I do expect that they play well. But sometimes, if I’m lucky, the musicians not only play well but also find that “inspiration.” That was the case last night with Harvey Diamond and his quartet. Harvey opened with Horace Silver’s “Peace,” which set the tone for the rest of the evening. The standouts for me were a different arrangement of “Night in Tunisia,” one of the staples in Harvey’s bag. Phil Grenadier was on fire all night, but his solo this time had that “Wow” factor. Harvey’s solo was blistering. And then there was “Blue in Green,” another staple in Harvey’s repertoire, but this version was sublime. Grenadier’s solo caressed the notes, revealing the depths of the tune as well as his complete emergence in it. Beauty of this kind is rare, even in jazz. Later, Grenadier and Harvey plumbed the emotional side of “Body and Soul.” Once again Grenadier’s solo was a heartfelt rendition, as was Harvey’s playing. Often Harvey explores the changes, deconstructing the tune. Not this time. This time it was all heart. Jon Dreyer on bass and Steve Langone on drums complemented each tune with their listening and reacting to Harvey and Phil. These tunes for me were the highlights of the evening. I have heard Harvey Diamond many times. Last night, on July 7, 2019, I heard magic. — Charles Ryan
Count veteran pianist Harvey Diamond among those much-appreciated but too-rarely recorded figures in jazz. — Elzy Kolb, Hot House Jazz
Harvey is a master teacher and player who has positively influenced legions of musicians over the years … a true master. —NEA jazz master Dave Liebman
Harvey Diamond remains not only a master musical artist, but an insightful, intuitive and amazing teacher. I owe much to him for the profound difference he has made in my life by teaching me how to create and about the virtues of patience and sensitivity when teaching my own students on their musical paths. His influence transcends through and beyond the music. Forever grateful. —Caris Visentin Liebman
Harvey Diamond is a fantastic pianist. He plays from his heart and totally disappears into the song. He’s a real joy to sing with. —NEA jazz master Sheila Jordan
Harvey Diamond is a unique and brilliant musician: a pianist’s pianist with a remarkable touch, unimpeachable technique and enormous dynamic range. A creative and unpredictable improvisor, Harvey’s roots go back to Lennie Tristano and Bill Evans, spiced with just a touch of Cecil Taylor. He draws the audience into his world and holds it spellbound. —Cameron Brown
Pianist Harvey Diamond is a national treasure to this great American art form known to many as jazz. When he plays I hear much more than that, I must say. I hear a light, buoyant artist who exudes joy in every phrase that he plays. I really get the feeling that he considers every note that he plays to be its own concert, that’s how much love and care he puts into his work! —Jason Palmer
Pianist Harvey Diamond … is almost as revered among Boston musicians as the Dalai Lama is in Tibet. —Critic Steve Elman of The Arts Fuse