Kerry Politzer: Yearning

Her session of originals contains a lovely Brazilian tinge. From the modern mainstream, pianist Kerry Politzer exposes her trio to lively samba rhythms and saucier twists that tug this way and that. Percussive in nature, her keyboard mastery echoes the natural spirit that accompanies street festivals and other celebrations of life. To that formula, Politzer adds pieces, such as "Aardvark," that fuse jazz's modern mainstream with international concepts. A strong classical music education and her jazz concentration at the New England Conservatory have left imprints. The title track soothes as a gentle waltz, featuring Politzer's wordless vocals in unison with Eric Rasmussen's soprano saxophone. Suite-like, the piece moves through distinct phases and includes solos from piano, saxophone, and bass. Pete Smith's acoustic guitar lends a folkloric touch to three numbers. His duet with Politzer on "Revelation" offers a landscape free from rush hour traffic and suitable for your next vacation. This is Politzer's debut CD. Audio samples are available at her web page .