John Eaton

John Livingston Eaton (born May 29, 1934, Washington, D.C.) is an American pianist, musicologist, humorist, educator and interpreter of jazz and American popular music. He is "considered one of the foremost interpreters of American music." Early life Eaton was born in Washington, D.C. He first learned about jazz from his father, a journalist who played the piano every evening after work. He attended Yale University where he studied with renowned classical teacher Alexander Lipsky. There, he was a member of the social and literary fraternity St. Anthony Hall. He graduated from Yale University in 1956. Career Eaton started playing music in the late 1960s. He played in the house trio of Blues Alley, playing with the touring stars who needed a backing band for three years. He also played piano in hotel lounges.