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Alan
Broadbent Trio
Soon thereafter, what began as a big band dance gig turned into a ten-year stint with Nelson Riddle, playing with the line-up from the Frank Sinatra days. In the 1980’s, Alan became a member of Charlie Haden’s Quartet West, the acclaimed combo that incorporates thematic elements from film (most notably, 40’s film noir) into their recordings. Alan wrote many of Quartet West’s arrangements, often adding strings to their saxophone/piano/bass/drums configuration. While continuing to play with Haden, Alan’s reputation as an arranger led to collaborations with artists such as Natalie Cole in the 1990’s, winning a Grammy for his treatment of “When I Fall In Love” in 1997 and another for “Lonely Town” with Quartet West and guest vocalist Shirley Horn in 2000.
Diana Krall hired Alan to be her Musical Director on her orchestral dates in 2002 (Krall studied piano with Broadbent and he’s appeared on several of her recordings as well). However, it’s Broadbent’s solo work (including his 2005 CD, “Round Midnight” for which he received a Grammy nomination in the “Best Instrumental Solo” category and his latest, “Every Time I Think Of You”) which has garnered increased attention of late. Said Don Heckman of the Los Angeles Times of Broadbent: “…over and over, his solos offered instantly inventive new melodies filled with attention-grabbing sequences and arching, lyrical phrases—the product of a sophisticated, intensely communicative mind.” Jazz Times summed it up: “One of the major keyboard figures of the day." |
During his tenure with Herman, Broadbent was
recognized by Downbeat Magazine with its “Best
Arranger” Award, as well as two Grammy nominations.
Subsequently, Broadbent moved to Los Angeles.
Known as a sensitive accompanist, his professional
engagements at that time included touring and
recording dates with Chet Baker, Johnny Mandel,
Henry Mancini, Mel Torme and dozens more.