Mark Kramer (jazz)

Mark Kramer (November 3, 1945- ) is a Philadelphia-born jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and producer/engineer.

Members of the Philadelphia Orchestra mentored him 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:

1) the largest known body of jazz renditions of complete Broadway shows, including "Evita en Jazz" (distributed internationally by Telarc International records) [http://www.telarc.com/biography/bios.asp?aid=50&gsku=3422&mscssid=9UACVKDT4WJA9LMXGHSL1HNX9VTH4AP6] , "The Sound of Music/Jazz", "Jazz Fiddler on the Roof", "The King and I", "Rent", "Sophisticated Ladies", and others2) A recording and reharmonization of an entire symphony by a jazz trio: "Mozart’s G minor (K.550)", Eroica label [http://www.turnonrecords.com/mkramer-artists.htm] 3) Jazz versions of principal themes from the John Williams score of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Eroica label)4) a compilation of jazz renditions of the music of the rolling Stones. [http://www.lightyear.com/music/jazz/StoneJazz/AG.htm]

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 mid-1990s his collaboration with co-leader - legendary bassist Eddie Gomez - has produced a far ranging catalogue of duo and trio recordings, including the Art of the Heart on Art of Life Records (released May 2006.) These recording are reminiscent of those produced by pianist Bill Evans. Art of Life records [http://www.artofliferecords.com/artoftheheart.html]

References