Eddie Gomez and Mark Kramer: Elegantly Emotional Jazz for July

contents

jazz

Fans may have missed their workshop at the Blue Note in June. But, in July there will be multiple opportunities in New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia to sample the sounds (and silence) of master bassist Eddie G?mez with pianist Mark Kramer: an increasingly compelling “phenomenon” on the music/jazz scene today.

On the evenings of July 15, 16, 17 Eddie and Mark bring their "charged quiet" to the well-appointed Iridium Jazz Club in New York City, New York (1650 Broadway at the corner of 49th Street Friday and Saturday at 8:00, 10:00 and 11:30 PM; Sunday at 8:00 and 10:00 PM.). Sponsored by the Twinz Records showcase of artists, “Eddie Gomez, featuring Mark Kramer” (and joined by drummer Gene Jackson), will headline each of the sets and also introduce three upcoming artist groups. The Gomez-Kramer collaboration's previous two appearances at the club this year ("Jazz Fiddler on the Roof" with Lennie White) and "Three Bass Hit", with White, Richard Davis and Avashai Cohen", were sold out.

The following week, Eddie Gomez and Mark Kramer will be appearing for a one time only limited seating class/ performance in the Mallory Room at Rutger’s University, Camden at 6 pm on Thursday, July 21st.

Finally, on Friday evening, July 22nd at 5:45 pm (for two shows) they are scheduled to perform at the prestigious concert series in the great hall of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, on the Benjamin Franklin Parway in Philadelphia, Pennslvania. All venues are equipped with 7-9 foot grand pianos (Steinway or Bosendorfer).

Julliard trained bassist Eddie G?mez has been at the forefront of jazz for decades. As the longest tenured bassist with pianist Bill Evans’ Trio, Eddie ensured that the double bass would be a compelling, emotionally moving lead voice in jazz. His distinctively melodic improvisations on masterpieces such as “You Must Believe in Spring”, remains today as a standard for artistry in the genre. His later creative contributions to various recordings by Chick Corea and others set the stage again for a cutting edge role for acoustic bass in improvised music.

Pianist Mark Kramer, recorded on Telarc, Lightyear, Stash, Mythic, and TWINZ Record labels, was formally trained from childhood as a violinist by members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Mark switched to saxophone, bass, then piano in his late teens and found his way to performing with the Brecker Brothers, Charles Famborough, Stanley Clark, Eric Gravatt and so many others before embarking on two full time high profile careers: one of which was musician by night.

Eddie G?mez and Mark Kramer, introduced by Michael Brecker, have been playing and composing regularly together for close to 15 years. Most recently they have developed a deeply self-contained duo sound which has attracted accolades. Recordings of their most recent duo works are awaiting release. Eddie and Mark both share an advanced technical mastery on their respective instruments; in their non comercial jazz work, lightning quick call and response is evident. Yet, reviewers comment that it is their shared reverence for a spacious and majestic feeling, punctuated by spectacular interactive bursts of high energy, which permeates their fresh work together.

write your comments about the article :: © 2005 Jazz News :: home page