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Mark Kramer (jazz pianist)

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Mark Kramer
Kramer in 2016
Kramer in 2016
Background information
Born (1945-11-03) November 3, 1945 (age 78)
OriginPhiladelphia, United States
GenresJazz, cool jazz, modal jazz, chamber jazz
Occupation(s)Jazz pianist, composer, arranger, producer/engineer
InstrumentPiano
Years active1980–present
LabelsTelarc, Concord, Mythic Jazz, Art of Life Records, Twinz, others
Websitewww.mark-kramer.com

Mark Kramer (born November 3, 1945) is a Philadelphia-born jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and producer/engineer. His numerous recordings/ productions are often listed under "The Mark Kramer Trio." However, many works with acclaimed jazz bassist Eddie Gómez are listed under "Eddie Gómez and Mark Kramer" or simply "Eddie Gómez". These are significant signature co-productions.

Members of the Philadelphia Orchestra mentored him on violin from the age of five. His early jazz performances, in his teens and twenties, included those with Michael Brecker and Randy Brecker, Charles Fambrough, Stanley Clarke, and Eric Gravatt.

Over the next decades his trio went on to record a series of specialty productions including:

  • the largest known body of jazz renditions of complete Broadway shows, including Evita en Jazz (distributed internationally by Telarc International records),[1] The Sound of Music/Jazz, Jazz Fiddler on the Roof, The King and I, Rent, Sophisticated Ladies, and others;
  • a reharmonization and recording of an entire symphony by a jazz trio: Mozart's Symphony no. 40 in G minor K. 550 (Eroica label);[2]
  • jazz versions of principal themes from the John Williams score of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Eroica label);
  • a compilation of jazz renditions of the music of The Rolling Stones.[3]

Thus, to date, the main part of Kramer's musical career has been as an arranger and leader of his own trios.

In addition, from the late -1980s his collaboration with co-leader - legendary bassist Eddie Gómez - has produced a far-ranging catalog of duo and trio recordings, including the Art of the Heart on Art of Life Records[4](released May 2006.) Some of these recordings are reminiscent of those produced by pianist Bill Evans.

References

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  1. ^ "Mark Kramer - Concord Music Group". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2010-06-01.
  2. ^ "MOZART Symphony in G minor (K.550)Jazz Rendition CD description". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2011-11-08.
  3. ^ "Abstract Groove's Review of Stone Jazz". Archived from the original on 2006-10-22. Retrieved 2006-08-20.
  4. ^ "Eddie Gómez & Mark Kramer-"Art of the Heart" Art of Life AL1019-2".
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