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Kerry Politzer: Diagonal
by Dan McClenaghan
Portland, Oregon-based pianist Kerry Politzer has a thing for bossa nova. Her immersion into sounds from Brazil comes into full blossom with her sixth album, Diagonal. Brazil's bossa nova sound came to world wide attention initially via the music from saxophonist Stan Getz on Jazz Samba (Verve, 1962), followed by early 1960s recordings from Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Gilberto, and guitarist Charlie Byrd. The popularity of the sound remains strong nearly seventy years beyond its initial introduction, due ...
read moreKerry Politzer: Below the Surface
by Dan McClenaghan
Pianist Kerry Politzer's relocation to Portland, Oregon seems to have given her music a boost. Always a fine mainstream artist, whether working the trio or quartet modes on Blue in Blue (Piloo Records, 2010) or Labyrinth (Palisonic Records, 2005), now her first “Portland disc," Below the Surface, finds her in a common quintet setting--trumpet/saxophone and rhythm section--making uncommonly modern sounds. Politzer has crafted a sound that goes much more into the groove than her previous outings did. The ...
read moreKerry Politzer: Voice And Voicings
by George Colligan
The following interview is reprinted from George Colligan's blog, Jazztruth. Kerry Politzer is one of my favorite musicians, period. (Yeah, she's my wife, you gotta problem wit dat? No, I see the potential conflict of interest, but hey, it's all about who you know, right?) Seriously, Politzer is one of the most underrated musicians around. She has five amazing CDs to her name. She is a truly gifted jazz pianist and composer; however, a few years ...
read moreKerry Politzer Quartet: Blue In Blue
by AAJ Italy Staff
Kerry Politzer vanta un percorso simile a quello di molti pianisti statunitensi. Approccio precoce allo strumento, studi al conservatorio, innamoramento per il jazz, primi riconoscimenti, album di debutto pluripremiato, ingaggi a go-go, coccolata da pubblico e discografici. Ma si sa il rischio di adagiarsi sugli allori è sempre dietro l'angolo e questo Blue in Blue sembra confermarlo. Perché è un album che scorre via senza sussulti, senza particolari emozioni, semplicemente un pianotrio, elegante e raffinato, troppo elegante e raffinato, meglio ...
read moreKerry Politzer Quartet: Blue in Blue
by Dan McClenaghan
Two of the most enduring and popular ensemble set-ups in jazz are the piano trio--piano/bass/drums--and the piano trio, with a saxophone joining in. Pianist Kerry Politzer combines formats on Blue in Blue, with six tunes featuring her trio and four more with guest saxophonist Donny McCaslin.While You Took Me In (Polisonic Records, 2007) featured Politzer in a more pop-leaning mood, Blue in Blue finds her back in mainstream jazz land, sculpting a sound that mixes up piano influences ...
read moreTake Five With Kerry Politzer
by AAJ Staff
Meet Kerry Politzer: I started out as a classical pianist, went over to jazz and Brazilian music, and am now exploring the world of vocals and lyrics. I've released three jazz albums: Yearning, Watercolor and Labyrinth; and one jazz-pop album, You Took Me In. Labyrinth was a finalist in the 6th Annual Independent Music Awards, and its first track, “Rhodes Rage," won Best Jazz Category, Third Prize in the 2005 International Songwriting Competition. Instruments: Piano, vocals. ...
read moreKerry Politzer: You Took Me
by Virginia A. Schaefer
Following her three releases as a jazz pianist who composes much of her material, Kerry Politzer steps out as a singer-songwriter with You Took Me In. As well as performing all the vocals, she plays piano with the band, which consists entirely of jazz musicians. Although the turn from jazz piano to pop-oriented song may seem surprising, Politzer has actually been active as a singer-songwriter for several years, and has received awards in songwriting competitions. On the ...
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