Because of the notoriety of Dan Trudell’s organ prowess, his piano abilities often surprise his music fans. As a pianist, Dan has performed and toured the world with some of the biggest names in jazz including Benny Golson, Dennis Irwin, Terrell Stafford, Eric Alexander, Jim Rotondi, Roy Hargrove, Ron Carter and Matt Wilson to name a few.
Dan was one of the select few pianists in Chicago to play a featured solo piano set at the 2005 Chicago Jazz Festival.
Dan has accompanied major vocalists including Joe Williams, Aretha Franklin, Diane Carroll, Kurt Elling, Ann Hampton Calloway and countless others.
Dan holds the piano chair in the Chicago Jazz Orchestra which is nationally renowned for its concert series and annual performance at the Kennedy Center Honors Awards.
His piano trio regularly performs throughout the Midwest in venues ranging from concert halls to intimate jazz clubs. His style is uniquely his own but draws from influences including Ahmad Jamal, McCoy Tyner, Red Garland and all the great pianists who have come before him.
Dan’s piano style can be heard on Pat Mallinger’s Monday Prayer to Tunkishila, his own Song of Happiness, Charlie Harrison and the Chicago Jazz Orchesta’s Keeping My Composure, and most recently Joel Adam’s Chicago Yestet.