By the time Eldar Djangirov was 18, he had already appeared on NPR and had jazz critics laurelling him with phrases like “veteran performer” and “the next generation of jazz.”

Now at age 25 and with several albums in his claim, Djangirov (pronounced john-'gear-ov) is bringing his bebop sensibilities to BlackRock Center for the Arts. He’ll be featured in a solo jazz concert Saturday, April 14, at the Germantown-based arts venue.

Djangirov came to the United States from Kyrgyzstan when he was a youngster. After building buzz performing as a child prodigy, Djangirov released two indie albums and signed with Sony for his major label, self-titled debut, an effort he followed with "Live at the Blue Note" in 2006, according to the artist’s website.  

Djangirov’s album "Re-imagination" was nominated for a Grammy in 2008; he released his first solo piano album, “Three Stories,” in 2011.

Here's a clip of Djangirov performing Gershwin’s “Embraceable You” at The Kennedy Center in December 2011.

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If you go …

WHAT: Eldar Djangirov, solo jazz piano concert
WHERE:  BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive, Germantown, MD
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday, April 14
PRICE:  $25-$28
MORE: Call 240-912-1058 or visit www.blackrockcenter.org