CLIFF KORMAN TRIO

URBAN TRACKS

Independent label

Cliff Korman, piano/arranger; Harvie S., bass; Rafael Barata, drums.

Cliff Korman has a light, bright, compelling touch on the piano.  He opens this album with “Chelo de Malicia,” reflecting his love for Brazilian music.  He has ben playing and exploring Brazilian music since 1981. Korman earned his doctorate at the Manhattan School of Music, where he was the coordinator of Brazilian Studies.  There, he led the Brazilian Jazz Ensemble. Currently, he has relocated to Brazil and is on the faculty at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais.  He’s released several albums, among them “Gafieira Jazz” featuring Paulo Moura & Cliff Korman.

The second track on this captivating album of “Urban Tracks” is “Manha De Carnaval” and continues Korman’s celebration of Brazilian music and culture. Track #3 turns back to straight-ahead standard jazz, celebrating his wonderful arranger talents on the tune “All the Things You Are.”  This gifted pianist takes us on a joyful ride.  He uses tempo changes to engage and entertain us, beginning with his very classical introduction to this jazz standard. Then he breaks into a double time excursion with Harvie S. on bass leading the way.  Their brisk tempo spins and soars, with Harvie S. walking briskly beneath Korman’s improvised solo. Rafael Barata spurs them on with his exciting trap drums.  Korman refreshes this old tune with his new arrangement.  He uses the familiar opening line to accentuate and dramatically emphasize the stellar drum solo Barata offers. This tune in particular showcases Korman’s exceptional arranging talents.

His expertise and talent playing and arranging Brazilian music has been sought out by established artists like Gerry Mulligan (Paraiso – Jazz Brazil), Astrud Gilberto, Ana Caram, Paulo Moura (Mood Ingenuo – Pixdinguinha Meets Duke Ellington), Chuck Mangione (The Feeling’s Back), Corina Bartra and Wendy Luck to list just a few.

Every song on this album showcases Cliff Korman’s exceptional talent on the piano and his brilliance as an arranger.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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