Alan Broadbent
Alan Leonard Broadbent MNZM (born 23 April 1947) is a New Zealand jazz pianist, arranger, and composer known for his work with artists such as Sue Raney, Charlie Haden, Woody Herman, Chet Baker, Irene Kral, Sheila Jordan, Natalie Cole, Warne Marsh, Bud Shank, and many others.
Also recorded as Alan Leonard Broadbent
Alan Broadbent

New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General · https: gg.govt.nz/file/22187 · CC BY 4.0
- Name
- Alan Broadbent
- Birth Name
- Alan Leonard Broadbent
- Born
- 23 April 1947
- Birthplace
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Occupation
- Musician, arranger, composer
- Full name
- Alan Leonard Broadbent.
- Nationality
- New Zealand
- Fields
- jazz · jazz fusion
- Education
- Berklee College of Music
- Teachers
- Lennie Tristano
- Honours
- New Zealand Order of Merit · Grammy Award for Best Arrangement and Instrumental and Vocals
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
VALÉORINE documentary reading
Documentary summary
Alan Leonard Broadbent MNZM (born 23 April 1947) is a New Zealand jazz pianist, arranger, and composer known for his work with artists such as Sue Raney, Charlie Haden, Woody Herman, Chet Baker, Irene Kral, Sheila Jordan, Natalie Cole, Warne Marsh, Bud Shank, and many others.
Admitted source layer · organised and presented by VALÉORINE
Note VALÉORINE
Alan Broadbent (born 1947) is a New Zealand bandleader, composer and music arranger, among other activities. The bandleader was born Alan Leonard Broadbent in Auckland.
Alan Broadbent studied at Berklee College of Music. The bandleader worked in Los Angeles and lived in Santa Monica.
Genres include jazz and jazz fusion. Alan Broadbent received Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals and New Zealand Order of Merit.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 26 September 2026
VALÉORINE
Reference Check
Propose documentary evidence for Alan Broadbent. A contribution is never written directly as fact: identity, source, rights and evidence gates still decide.
Sign in to contribute
World of VALÉORINE
Documentary connections
Only confirmed graph relationships appear here. Images are shown only when their identity and reuse rights both pass the documentary gate.
Documentary evidence
Documentary basis
Authority files
gnd · 10310922-5 · museum · 8ce4615c-2788-4d3b-9466-524e1cb5738f · wikidata · Q1145788 · wikipedia · Alan Broadbent
In this article
Biography
Biography
Alan Broadbent studied at Berklee College of Music. Training under Lennie Tristano is recorded. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are jazz and jazz fusion. Places of work recorded in the authority are Los Angeles. Residence is recorded at Santa Monica. Distinctions recorded are New Zealand Order of Merit and Grammy Award for Best Arrangement, Instrumental and Vocals.

Alan Broadbent (right), after his investiture as MNZM, for services to jazz music, by the governor-general, Anand Satyanand, at Government House, Auckland, on 26 September 2008.
New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General · https: gg.govt.nz/file/22187
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Alan Broadbent • Honorific Suffix — MNZM • Birth Name — Alan Leonard Broadbent • Born — 23 April 1947 • Birthplace — Auckland, New Zealand • Genre — Jazz • Occupation — Musician, arranger, composer • Instrument — Piano • Years Active — 1974–present • Label — Granite, Trend, Concord Jazz • Associated Acts — Charlie Haden, Natalie Cole • Website — alanbroadbent.com
Early life
Early life
Born in Auckland in 1947, Broadbent studied piano and music theory in his own country, but in 1966 went to the United States to study at the Berklee College of Music.
Later life and career
Later life and career
During the 1990s, Broadbent recorded on Natalie Cole's album Unforgettable... with Love, then became her pianist and conductor for the tour. His arrangement for her video "When I Fall in Love" won the Grammy Award for Best Orchestral Arrangement Accompanying a Vocal. During the 1980s and 1990s, he recorded with Charlie Haden's Quartet West. Around this time he won a Grammy Award for his arrangement of Leonard Bernstein's "Lonely Town" that was recorded by Shirley Horn. He wrote arrangements for Glenn Frey's album After Hours and for Paul McCartney's album Kisses on the Bottom. He has worked as conductor for Diana Krall. In the 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours, Broadbent was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to jazz. In the November 2013 issue of Down Beat magazine, his solo piano album Heart to Heart received a five-star rating.
As leader/co-leader
As leader/co-leader
• Year recorded — Title — Label — Year released — Personnel/Notes • 1979? — Palette — Ode · Granite Music — 1979 — With big band • 1981 — Continuity — Revelation — 1983 — Co-lead Duo, with Putter Smith (bass) • 1984 — Song of Home — Kiwi Pacific — 1984 — Trio, with Andy Brown (bass), Frank Gibson Jr. (drums) • 1985 — Further Down the Road — Tartar — 1986 — Trio, Andy Brown (bass), Frank Gibson Jr, (drums) • 1986? — Everything I Love — Discovery — 1986 — Trio, with Putter Smith (bass), Frank Gibson Jr. (drums) • 1987 — Another Time — Trend — 1987 — Trio, with Putter Smith (bass), Frank Gibson Jr. (drums) • 1989 — Away from You — Trend — 1990 — Trio, with Putter Smith (bass), Frank Gibson Jr. (drums) • 1990? — Over the Fence — Ode — 1990 — Trio, with Putter Smith (bass), Frank Gibson Jr. (drums) • 1991? — Fine and Dandy — Ode — 1991 — Quartet, with George Chisholm (trumpet, flugelhorn), Andy Brown (bass), Frank Gibson Jr. (drums) • 1991 — Live at Maybeck Recital Hall, Volume Fourteen — Concord Jazz — 1991 — Solo piano; in concert • 1993 — Concord Duo Series, Volume Four — Concord Jazz — 1993 — Co-lead Duo, with Gary Foster (tenor sax, alto sax) • 1995 — Pacific Standard Time — Concord Jazz — 1995 — Trio, with Putter Smith (bass), Frank Gibson Jr. (drums) • 1996 — Personal Standards — Concord Jazz — 1997 — Trio, with Putter Smith (bass), Frank Gibson Jr. (drums); Grammy Nomination for Best Instrumental Composition "Every Time I Think of You" • 2002 — You and the Night and the Music — King/Paddle Wheel · A440 Music — 2003 — Trio, with Brian Bromberg (bass), Joe LaBarbera (drums); Grammy Nomination for Best Jazz Improvised Solo "What's New" • 2004? — 'Round Midnight — KIng/Paddle Wheel — 2004 — Trio, with Brian Bromberg (bass), Joe LaBarbera (drums); Grammy Nomination for Best Improvised Solo "Round Midnight" • 2005? — With Strings — King/Paddle Wheel — 2005 — With Strings • 2006? — Every Time I Think of You — King · Artistry Music — 2006 — With Brian Bromberg (bass), Kendall Kay (drums), The Tokyo Strings • 2009? — Together Again — Ode — 2009 — Trio, with Putter Smith (bass), Frank Gibson Jr. (drums) • 2009? — Moment's Notice — Chilly Bin — 2009 — Trio, with Putter Smith (bass), Kendall Kay (drums) • 2010 — Live at Giannelli Square, Vol. 1 — Chilly Bin — 2010 — Trio, with Putter Smith (bass), Kendall Kay (drums); Grammy Nomination for Best Jazz Improvised Solo "Solar" • 2012? — Live at Giannelli Square 2 — Chilly Bin — 2012 — Trio, with Putter Smith (bass), Kendall Kay (drums) • 2012 — Heart to Heart — Chilly Bin — 2013 — Solo piano; in concert • 2013 — Just One of Those Things — Edition Longplay — 2014 — Solo piano; in concert; limited edition LP • 2014? — America the Beautiful — Jan Matthies — 2014 — with the NDR Bigband • 2015 — Developing Story — Eden River — 2017 — With Harvie S (bass), Peter Erskine (drums), London Metropolitan Orchestra • 2015– 2016 — Songbook — Roomspin — 2017 — Co-led with Georgia Mancio (vocals), with Oli Hayhurst (bass), Dave Ohm (drums, percussion)
As sideman or arranger
As sideman or arranger
With Natalie Cole • Unforgettable... with Love (Elektra, 1991) • Take a Look (Elektra, 1993) • Holly and Ivy (Elektra, 1994) • Stardust (Elektra, 1996) • Ask a Woman Who Knows (Verve, 2002) • Still Unforgettable (DMI/Atco, 2008) With Michael Feinstein • Isn't It Romantic (Elektra, 1988) • The M.G.M. Album (Elektra, 1989) • Such Sweet Sorrow (Atlantic, 1995) With Charlie Haden • Quartet West (Verve, 1987) • In Angel City (Verve, 1988) • Haunted Heart (Verve, 1991) • Always Say Goodbye (Verve, 1993) • Now Is the Hour (Verve, 1995) • The Art of the Song (Verve, 1999) • The Private Collection (Naim, 2000) • American Dreams (Verve, 2002) • Sophisticated Ladies (EmArcy, 2010) With Scott Hamilton • Scott Hamilton with Strings (Concord Jazz, 1993) • Christmas Love Song (Concord Jazz, 1997) • Late Night Christmas Eve (Concord Jazz, 1997) With Woody Herman • Hits of Woody Herman (Capitol, 1961) • Brand New (Fantasy, 1971) • Woody (Cadet, 1971) • Giant Steps (Fantasy, 1973) • Thundering Herd (Fantasy, 1974) • Children of Lima (Fantasy, 1975) • Herd at Montreux (Fantasy, 1975) • Woody and Friends at the Monterey Jazz Festival (Concord Jazz, 1979) With Diana Krall • Why Should I Care (Verve, 1999) • Turn Up the Quiet (Verve, 2017) • This Dream of You (Verve, 2020) With Irene Kral • Where Is Love? (Choice, 1974) • Kral Space (Catalyst, 1977) • Gentle Rain (Choice, 1978) With Shelly Manne • Double Jazz Quartet at Carmelo's (Trend, 1981) • Double Jazz Quartet at Carmelo's Vol. 2 (Trend, 1982) With Jane Monheit • In the Sun (N-Coded, 2002) • Live at the Rainbow Room (N-Coded, 2003) With Lee Ritenour • Stolen Moments (GRP, 1990) • Wes Bound (GRP, 1992) With Bud Shank • Crystal Comments (Concord Jazz, 1980) • Serious Swingers (Contemporary, 1987) With others • 1975 Percy Faith, Summer Place '76 (Columbia) • 1977 Don Menza, First Flight (Catalyst) • 1978 Bill Berry, Shortcake (Concord Jazz) • 1979 Don Rader, Wallflower (Discovery) • 1979 Barbra Streisand, Wet (Columbia) • 1981 Jack Sheldon, Playin' It Straight (RealTime) • 1983 Warne Marsh, Warne Marsh Meets Gary Foster (Eastworld) • 1987 Charlie Shoemake, Satin Nights (Blackhawk) • 1987 Bob Brookmeyer, Oslo (Concord Jazz) • 1990 Charles McPherson, Follow the Bouncing Ball (Discovery) • 1991 David Byrne, The Forest (Warner Bros.) • 1992 Sue Raney, In Good Company (Discovery) • 1992 Shirley Horn, Here's to Life (Verve) • 1993 Sheila Jordan, Heart Strings (Muse) • 1994 Mel Tormé Without a Word of Warning (Concord Jazz) • 1994 Toots Thielemans, East Coast West Coast (Private Music) • 1994 Kenny Rankin, Professional Dreamer (Private Music) • 1994 Karrin Allyson, Sweet Home Cookin (Concord Jazz) • 1995 Eddie Daniels, The Five Seasons (Cachet) • 1997 Marian McPartland, Silent Pool (Concord Jazz) • 1998 Ann Hampton Callaway, This Christmas (Concord Jazz) • 1999 Diane Schuur, Music Is My Life (Atlantic) • 2000 Sheila Jordan, From the Heart (32 Jazz) • 2000 Lee Konitz, More Live-Lee (Milestone) • 2004 Linda Ronstadt, Hummin' to Myself (Verve) • 2004 Renee Olstead, Reneé Olstead (Reprise) • 2005 Rod Stewart, The Great American Songbook (J) • 2005 Steve Tyrell, The Songs of Sinatra (Hollywood) • 2009 Bob Florence, Legendary (Mama) • 2010 Hilary Kole, You Are There: Duets (Justin Time) • 2011 Seth MacFarlane, Music Is Better Than Words (Universal Republic) • 2016 Kristin Chenoweth, The Art of Elegance (Concord) • 2020 Pat Metheny, From This Place (Nonesuch)
Places
Named by the record
Places
Only places the record itself states, plotted where the house gazetteer settles their coordinates. Nothing is inferred from a name or a nationality.
NZ.
Country
Santa Monica
Residences
Auckland.
Birth place
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Alan Broadbent”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q1145788: Alan Broadbent
Reputable secondary · Wikidata
Institutional database
- MusicBrainz artist record for Alan Broadbent
Scholarly · MetaBrainz Foundation
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Alan Broadbent. Worldofjazz.org.
- 2.Henderson, Alex. Alan Broadbent: Biography. AllMusic.
- 3.Alan Broadbent.
- 4.Wynn, Ron. Haunted Heart. AllMusic.
- 5.Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Queen's Birthday honours list 2008. 2 June 2008.
- 6.Silsbee, Kirk. Alan Broadbent – Heart to Heart. Down Beat. 52. November 2013.
- 7.AllMusic. Alan Broadbent Credits AllMusic.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
Institutional database
MusicBrainz artist record for Alan BroadbentMetaBrainz Foundation
Institutional witnessreference work
Secondary witnessreference work
Secondary witness
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 18 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Music memorabilia
42,438 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
- Alamo RecordsOrganisation
- Alan ArkinPerson
- Alan AverillPerson
- Alan BlaikleyPerson
- Alan BushPerson
- Alan CivilPerson
- Alan ClarkPerson
- Alan CurtisPerson
Best supported in this field
For owners
Own a work by Alan Broadbent?
A specialist will read what you send and tell you what the house can establish, what it cannot, and whether the object is suited to sale. There is no charge and no obligation. The object stays with you throughout; nothing is shipped to us unless it is arranged in writing beforehand.