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Ken Berman

Pianist and composer Ken Berman has performed and recorded with Bob Moses, Yoron Israel, Kai Eckhardt, Akira Tana, John Lockwood, Bob Gullotti, Rémi Vignolo, Jaleel Shaw, Sarah Manning, Take Toriyama and others: he has appeared on the famed stages of Carnegie Hall in New York, Yoshi's in San Francisco, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Detroit's Fox Theater, and The Sunside in Paris. Ken has been the recipient of several artist grants and awards for his ongoing work in jazz education. His music has been the subject of programs on radio stations KCSM in San Francisco, KPFA in Berkeley, and on KZSU at Stanford University, where his playing drew comparisons with Bill Evans, Ramsey Lewis and Keith Jarrett. Over the years, his work has received special features on jazz radio stations KCSM in San Francisco, WGBH in Boston, WFMT in Chicago, and WEMU in Michigan, and has been playlisted on jazz radio stations in the United States, Europe, and Japan. The French newspaper Le Monde hailed Mr. Berman as a “fluid and erudite” composer and performer whose “complex improvisations are imbued with delicate sensuality and brilliance.”

Born in New York City but with roots stretching from New York and Boston to Detroit to San Francisco, Mr. Berman entered and won classical competitions at an early age before fully turning to jazz. He studied piano and composition at the University of Michigan and Berklee College of Music, and improvisation with legendary jazz mentors Barry Harris and Charlie Banacos.

Reviewing Ken Berman’s 2006 CD "In Mind" (featuring John Lockwood, Yoron Israel, and Bob Gullotti) for The L.A. Jazz Scene, jazz critic and historian Scott Yanow writes: “When listening to Ken Berman's trio CD In Mind, it is easy to think of Keith Jarrett and Bill Evans, for Berman's chord voicings and his close interplay with his sidemen recall the work of his two predecessors. The difference is that Berman wrote all ten selections, he never copies Evans or Jarrett, and at times he sounds more advanced than either of them. The music overall is both swinging and thoughtful, spontaneous and purposeful ...and easily recommended.” "In Mind" was rated one of the top 15 jazz releases of 2006 on the Jazz with Bob Parlocha website. In 2006, Le Monde continued to praise Mr. Berman as "precise and inventive," and the "talk of the town in the clubs of the European capital of jazz."

Ken Berman's new release Looking Forward(2010), features a dynamic trio including bass virtuouso Kai Eckhardt and the critically acclaimed Akira Tana on drums, performing a set of extraordinary original compositions that bring to mind those classic trios of Pat Metheny, Keith Jarrett, and Bill Evans, while at the same time maintaining his completely unique and inimitable sound.

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17
Album Review

Ken Berman: Sound Poetry

Read "Sound Poetry" reviewed by Edward Blanco


Pianist Ken Berman's friendship with the late poet Eythan Klamka served as the inspiration for Sound Poetry, a musical project of mostly original compositions bookended by two solo reinterpretations of classic jazz standards. Poet Klamka, to whom this album is dedicated, had previously stated that “any true musician is a sound poet" and to this end, poetry and music come together on the pianists fourth album as leader. Along with electric bassist Kai Eckhardt and drummer Akira Tana, the Berman ...

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185

Recording

"Looking Forward" - The New Album by Ken Berman Featuring Kai Eckhardt and Akira Tana!

"Looking Forward" - The New Album by Ken Berman Featuring Kai Eckhardt and Akira Tana!

Source: Michael Ricci

Looking Forward features eight inspirational original tracks showcasing Ken Berman's distinctive sound as a composer and pianist, leading a dynamic trio including bass virtuouso Kai Eckhardt and the phenomenal Akira Tana on drums. “When listening to Ken Berman's trio," noted jazz critic Scott Yanow writes, “it is easy to think of Keith Jarrett and Bill Evans, for Berman's chord voicings and his close interplay with his sidemen recall the work of his two predecessors. The difference is that Berman wrote ...

145

Performance / Tour

Ken Berman Trio at Yoshis June 3rd!

Ken Berman Trio at Yoshis June 3rd!

Source: All About Jazz


117

Performance / Tour

Ken Berman Trio Featuring Kai Eckhardt and Akira Tana in Concert April 12th

Ken Berman Trio Featuring Kai Eckhardt and Akira Tana in Concert April 12th

Source: All About Jazz


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Performance / Tour

Ken Berman Trio with Kai Eckhardt and Akira Tana at the Hertz Concert Hall

Ken Berman Trio with Kai Eckhardt and Akira Tana at the Hertz Concert Hall

Source: All About Jazz

The Ken Berman Trio, featuring internationally acclaimed bassist Kai Eckhardt and legendary drummer Akira Tana, will be performing a special program of original music at UC Berkeley's Hertz Concert Hall on September 19th.

The historic Hertz Concert Hall has hosted a wealth of outstanding jazz and classical recording artists, including Dawn Upshaw, Steve Reich, Cecilia Bartoli, Steve Coleman, John Abercrombie, Roscoe Mitchell, Steve Lacy, John Zorn, Henry Threadgill, Ravi Shankar, and the Kronos Quartet. Since joining the faculty at UC ...

131

Recording

Ken Berman Releases "In Mind" Featuring Yoron Israel, John Lockwood and Bob Gullotti

Ken Berman Releases "In Mind" Featuring Yoron Israel, John Lockwood and Bob Gullotti

Source: All About Jazz

In Mind, Ken Berman's new release (mmgmusic), features ten inspired original tracks showcasing his genius as a pianist and composer, leading a combo that includes the great John Lockwood on bass and legendary drummers Yoron Israel and Bob Gullotti. In December 2005, the French newspaper Le Monde praised Ken Berman, a sensation in Paris, as “precise and inventive," and the “talk of the town in the clubs of the European capital of jazz," and hailed Ken as a “fluid and ...

“When listening to Ken Berman's trio CD In Mind, it is easy to think of Keith Jarrett and Bill Evans, for Berman's chord voicings and his close interplay with his sidemen recall the work of his two predecessors. The difference is that Berman wrote all ten selections, he never copies Evans or Jarrett, and at times he sounds more advanced than either of them.” “The music overall is both swinging and thoughtful, spontaneous and purposeful. It is worthy of several listens and easily recommended.” -Scott Yanow, The Los Angeles Jazz Scene

“Gifted with a very fine touch and a state-of-the-art technique,” Ken Berman composes “very cool jazz, not at all cerebral, and extremely well-played.” -CitizenJazz.com

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Primary Instrument

Piano

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

Music Faculty - University of California, Berkeley: Lecturer - Stanford University Jazz Band Director - Bentley School, Oakland, CA: Music Director - Driscoll School (8yrs): Affiliated with: Bentley School, Berkwood Hedge, Calhoun, Chapin, Horace-Mann,Columbia Grammar and Pre, St. David's, and Trinity: Accepts a limited number of qualified students each year. Contact: [email protected] for more information

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