Noise Boy: Jazzed about pianist/vocalist Rachel Eckroth

The soft-spoken musician knows what she wants in her career. She's constantly writing music for solo piano, trio, big band, and voice in her north Phoenix work space. Albums in the works include several full-length trio efforts, a duo project with NYC saxophonist Arun Luthra, and a pop record that will feature ridiculously amazing drummer Steve Gadd. She's also set on educating the jazz connoisseurs of Phoenix to original, cutting-edge material, rather than barfing out tired standards.

Eckroth says, "I've had requests from people who book gigs and musicians who curate shows that say, 'Oh, can you play more standards and more inside?' I conveyed that I play what I play and that's what I am going to do. It's not really fair to be an artist and have people tell you what to do."

And what about the less-than-desirable scene at Nello's? "I don't mind the extra energy. As long as we can hear ourselves, that's okay. I like it because there's usually a good crowd. We can play what we want, we can play loud, and the gig has been going on for at least a year."

Well, then. I'm convinced that Eckroth is a consummate professional who can do just about anything. That includes holding her own with the longstanding Phoenix jazz kings, staying true to her artistic goals, and creating and performing original, hip music that can't be pigeonholed into any one category.