Connie Han at Jazz St. Louis

With the release of her 2018 Mack Avenue Music Group debut, Crime Zone, pianist Connie Han seized the attention of the jazz world and firmly established herself as a fast-rising star on the scene. That stratospheric ascent continues her captivating follow-up, “Iron Starlet,” released in April of 2020.

One listens to “Iron Starlet” is ample evidence that the 23-year old is every bit an armor-clad talent as the name implies. Her powerful vision takes in the full evolution of her forebearers, from iconic innovators like McCoy Tyner and Hank Jones through the Young Lion revolution spearheaded by the Marsalis Brothers, Kenny Kirkland, and Jeff “Tain” Watts, among others.