By Donald True Van Deusen
The Mark Kramer Trio with Kramer on piano and featuring Eddie Gomez on
bass with John Moseman on drums, will provide exciting jazz fireworks
October 20 at Chris' Jazz Cafe (215-568-3131) 1421 Sansom St.. Sets run 9
p.m. to 1 a.m. for an $8 admission, $5 for students.
Kramer, a native Philadelphian, has garnered praise for his playing
ranging from such authorities as piano giant Teddy Wilson and jazz impresario
George Wein. Gomez is a nationally-known, highly regarded, top-flight bass
man who worked many years with legendary jazz pianist Bill Evans. Moseman is
a long-term trio member. Al McMahon, the cafe talent manager, notes, "this is
not just another thrown together "guest artist" gig and that Kramer and Gomez
have been working together since 1990. The event marks the release of their
new album, "The Trio" from Mythic Records.
In something of a story reminiscent of Horatio Alger with touches of
Charles Dickens, Kramer grew up in a Philadelphia ghetto, taught himself to
play piano and bought his first piano with money earned selling newspapers.
He has worked through the years with such local stars as bassist Charles
Fambrough, tenor sax man Larry McKenna,vibist Khan Jamal and drummer Butch
Reed. He taught at New York City's New School of Music, Rutgers University
and was jazz director for Ye Olde Temperance House in Newtown, Pa. for 14
years. He recorded several jazz recordings of various Broadway plays, the
most famous of which is probably, "Evita En Jazz."
Gomez, reared in New York and born in Puerto Rico, has worked with the
best in the business: Marian McPartland, Miles Davis, Paul Bley, Chick Corea
and for many years with Bill Evans.
Kramer told me of the awesome affinity he had with Gomez. How they can
trade and build on each others phrases. People who are very close can
sometimes complete each others sentences. With musicians, it's magic!
