Kris Tokarski

Kris Tokarski is a skilled jazz pianist who has helped prolong the legacies of several early musical pioneers by not only playing their compositions, but by embracing their techniques and their approach to music. Among his heroes and for whom he also spoke about during his NAMM Oral History interview are Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton and Teddy Wilson. Kris has recorded in early jazz traditions from ragtime to bebop as well as his own style and has been a driving force during several well-known musical festivals including The Montreal Jazz Fest, The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the San Diego Jazz Fest.