« April 08, 2010 | Home | April 10, 2010 »

04/09 Friday

10:00 PM The Carmen Staaf Trio

Lineup:
Carmen Staaf - piano
Kendall Eddy - bass
Austin McMahon - drums

Suggested donation: $8

Winner of the 2009 Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Pianist Competition, Carmen Staaf is increasingly being recognized in New York as “a most impressive pianist” (Bob Brookmeyer). Rooted in straight ahead jazz, her music draws on diverse experiences including living in Cuba, playing with salsa bands, her classical training, and her alter ego as a klezmer accordionist. The Carmen Staaf Trio features bassist Kendall Eddy and drummer Austin McMahon and plays originals by each member; fresh explorations of standards; and swinging music by Mary Lou Williams and other jazz composers. Her 2008 album “Reflection”, described as “profoundly beautiful” (Bud Young, KBCS FM Seattle), wove through-composed ensemble work, solo piano ruminations and free improvisation into pieces both lyrical and rhythmically driving. “I strive for honesty in my music, for the letting go of the desire for it to sound a certain way or make people feel a certain way. I've found that the music resonates most with listeners when I use my training and tools to serve whatever truth I'm actually feeling at that moment. It takes faith, and it's humbling, but the deepest music I've been part of has happened from playing this way.” A recent arrival in New York, Carmen taught in the piano department at Berklee for four years. She has performed at jazz festivals all over the US and Europe as well as in Panama, Cuba and Carnegie Hall, and has worked with Henry Grimes, Bob Brookmeyer, Eddie Gomez, Francisco Mela, Lila Downs, George Garzone, Frank London, Esperanza Spalding, John McNeil, Kenny Wollesen, Kate McGarry, and Alicia Svigals. She toured India for a month in a dog suit with NYC's favorite furry animal ragtime band, the Xylopholks.

“A new star to discover” - Michael G. Nastos, Allmusic.com
www.carmenstaaf.com