In Manhattan's jazz-filled Embers nightclub last week, a newcomer was dazzling the customers with his flashing piano pyrotechnics. He started out a month ago as an unknown with a brief trial booking, created such a stir that he was immediately re-engaged and signed up for all his New York City appearances for the next three years. His name is Alex Kallao (rhymes with today-oh); he is 21, and has been blind since birth.*
Like many jazz pianists, Pennsylvania-born Alex Kallao uses string bass and drums to give his performance more body and bounce. His arrangements (of such standards as Tea for Two...