Alan Broadbent


Alan Leonard Broadbent is a New Zealand jazz pianist, arranger, and composer known for his work with artists such as Sue Raney, Charlie Haden, Woody Herman, Chet Baker, Irene Kral, Sheila Jordan, Natalie Cole, Warne Marsh, Bud Shank, and many others.

Early life

Born in Auckland in 1947, Broadbent studied piano and music theory in his own country, but in 1966 went to the United States to study at the Berklee College of Music.

Later life and career

During the 1990s, Broadbent recorded on Natalie Cole's album Unforgettable... with Love, then became her pianist and conductor for the tour. His arrangement for her video "When I Fall in Love" won the Grammy Award for Best Orchestral Arrangement Accompanying a Vocal. Also during the 1990s, he recorded on the album Quartet West by Charlie Haden. Around this time he won a Grammy Award for his arrangement of Leonard Bernstein's "Lonely Town" that was recorded by Shirley Horn. He wrote arrangements for Glenn Frey's album After Hours and for Paul McCartney's album Kisses on the Bottom. He has worked as conductor for Diana Krall.
In the 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours, Broadbent was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to jazz.
In the November 2013 issue of Down Beat magazine, his solo piano album Heart to Heart received a five-star rating.

Discography

As leader/co-leader

As sideman or arranger

With Natalie Cole
With Michael Feinstein
With Charlie Haden
With Scott Hamilton
With Woody Herman
With Irene Kral
With others