Being Human Lynne Arriale Trio

• 1 Passion 04:21
• 2 Courage 03:35
• 3 Love 03:16
• 4 Faith 03:34
• 5 Curiosity 02:43
• 6 Soul 03:44
• 7 Persistence 04:14
• 8 Heart 04:29
• 9 Gratitude 03:29
• 10 Joy 04:13
• 11 Love (Reprise) 02:42
• Total Runtime 40:20

Info for Being Human

Being Human, pianist-composer Lynne Arriale’s 17th album as a leader, is her fourth for Challenge Records International. Joining Lynne are bassist Alon Near and drummer Lukasz Zyta in a suite of original compositions that explores life-affirming facets of humankind. Being Human is dedicated to the things that define our better nature, and to those individuals, whether celebrated or unsung, who personify them.

In recent years, Lynne’s compositions and albums have reflected current social issues. Chimes of Freedom (2020) highlights the worldwide immigration crisis and the experiences of refugees who risk everything to find a better life for themselves and their families. The Lights Are Always On (2022) examines the life-changing events wrought by COVID-19. Some compositions are named in honor of heroes, including those who served as caregivers on the front lines of the pandemic and those who defended American democracy

In Being Human, Lynne’s compositions celebrate the ways our lives are enriched by passion, courage, love, persistence, heart, soul, curiosity, faith, and joy. Responding to the negative effects of polarization in society and culture, Lynne created this album as an affirmation of love, hope, and unity. It is a musical inspiration to fully appreciate the incredible potential in each of us, and to live our lives individually and collectively as the best expression of what it means to be human.

“I wrote this suite in response to the division and turmoil in our world. The music focuses on qualities we all share; that define our humanity. I hope this album will be uplifting and convey a sense of unity and optimism. The dedications reflect my admiration for those who I feel personify the traits that inspired the music.” (Lynne Arriale)

Lynne Arriale, piano
Alon Near, double bass
Lukasz Zyta, drums

Lynne Arriale
Pianist/composer Lynne Arriale’s career is graced by a love of melody and a joy of musical discovery. Arriale has performed on international concert and festival stages over the past 25 years. The consummate storyteller, she immediately connects with her listeners. JazzTimes wrote, "She achieves a special, deep connection with her audience, and the energy flows both ways. Arriale’s emotional authenticity allows her audience to feel and think along with her… Lynne Arriale’s music lies at the synaptic intersection where brain meets heart, where body meets soul. She is one of jazzdom’s most intensely unique voices."

At the core of Arriale’s appeal is her ability to communicate with her band and listeners. She has been called "The poet laureate of her generation" by Jazz Police and has been consistently praised as having a singular voice as a pianist, leader, composer, and arranger. "I really can't compare her to anyone," said recent collaborator and multi-Grammy winner Randy Brecker. "Her music transcends the word 'jazz' - it is just pure music."

Arriale was the first prize winner of the 1993 International Great American Jazz Piano Competition, and soon launched her touring and recording career. Her 14 albums as a leader have topped the Jazzweek Radio Charts; Inspiration and Arise- #1, Come Together #3, Nuance #4 and were included on numerous "Best Of" lists, including The New Yorker and United Press International. LIVE (CD/DVD) was named one of UPI’s Best Jazz CDs and among The New Yorker Magazine’s Best CDs of the year. Solo was named one of the top CDs of 2012 by JAZZIZ Magazine, and Convergence was named one of the top 50 CDs of 2011 by JazzTimes. Arriale was #13, #17 and #18 in the piano category for the 2015, 2016 and 2018 Downbeat Reader's Poll.

Arriale toured Japan with “100 Golden Fingers”, a group that included iconic jazz pianists Tommy Flanagan, Hank Jones, Monty Alexander, Cedar Walton, Kenny Barron, Harold Mabern, Roger Kellaway, Junior Mance and Ray Bryant. Arriale has performed and/or recorded with jazz greats Randy Brecker, George Mraz, Benny Golson, Rufus Reid, Larry Coyell and Marian McPartland, to name a few.

The world's great jazz festivals and concert stages have invited Lynne to perform, including five performances at the Kennedy Center and additional performances at Lincoln Center, Montreux, Burghausen, Gilmore, Spoleto Arts, Montreal, Monterey, North Sea, Stuttgart, Pori, San Francisco, Ottawa, Zagreb, Perth, Brisbane, Rouen, Cannes MIDEM, Sardinia, Rochester, Wigan, Poznan, Estoril, Palermo, Inverness, Cork and San Javier.

Arriale’s tours have taken her to Brazil, Germany, Austria, Serbia, Poland, Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, France, Belgium,The Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Greece, Australia, Japan, Spain, Portugal, South Africa, England, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, China, South Africa and the U.S.

Her live TV and radio appearances and concert performances include Profile of a Recording Artist, NPR’s Weekend Edition, Jazz Set, Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland, NPR’s Jazz Piano Christmas, CNN/FN Biz, the BBC, Radio France and German National Television. Press features include Billboard, Downbeat, JazzTimes, JAZZIZ, BBC Magazine, The London Times and cover stories for JazzEd, One Way and M Magazines.

A devoted educator and Yamaha artist, Arriale is currently Professor of Jazz Studies and Director of Small Ensembles at The University of North Florida in Jacksonville. She has served as a faculty member of the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops, the Centrum Port Townsend Jazz Workshop, the Thelonious Monk Institute in Aspen and numerous clinics and workshops worldwide, including the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Brazil and South Africa. She is a member and piano pedagogy representative of The Jazz Education Network and has adjudicated the Montreux Jazz Competition, American Pianists Association Fellowship Awards, The Kennedy Center’s Mary Lou Williams Competition and the Jacksonville Piano Competition. With jazz icon Toshiko Akiyoshi, she was a featured mentor at The Mary Lou Williams Emerging Artist Workshop at the Kennedy Center.

This album contains no booklet.