Misha Mengelberg
Misha Mengelberg (1935-2017) was a Dutch jazz pianist and composer, born in Kiev
to a family of musicians. He began piano lessons at age five and showed
prodigious talent in chess as well. After studying architecture briefly, he
entered the Royal Conservatory in The Hague (1958-1964), where he won prizes and
became associated with Fluxus. Early influences included Thelonious Monk, Duke
Ellington, and John Cage.
Mengelberg gained recognition for his free improvisation, humor, and
interpretations of Thelonious Monk and Herbie Nichols' work. He won the
Gaudeamus International C...
