Album Notes

Corky McClerkin grew up listening to the sounds of Chicago Jazz from 47th St.'s famed Regal Theater to 63rd St.'s "The Street of Dreams". Showing his skill in jazz piano, Corky became a member of Chicago's Hyde Park High School Jazz Band. During his time in FT. Benning's 283rd Army Band, Corky studied Jazz History while playing both jazz and Rock 'n Roll. Listening to the thunderous sounds of John Coltrane and the Melodic tones of Miles Davis, Corky heard these jazz warriors define simplicity and complexity and tried to apply their examples within his own music.

In Chicago, Corky
And "Others" with backgrounds in swing, bebop, soul, fusion, blues, gospel, and even classical, played listened and learned from one another. Von Freeman shared his wisdom with all who would ask-and listen. Live performances by Horace Silver Ahmed Jamal, McCoy Tyner, Ray Charles, and Thelonius Monk all inspired Corky to develop his own style as performer, songwriter, and jazz educator. Performances in Singapore and elsewhere showed Corky the continually growing influence of African-American Jazz.

Dave Nathan's review in www.allaboutjazz.com says McClerkin " ....combined the best of soul jazz and hard bop, reflecting the 1960's era when McClerkin was cutting his musical teeth.....He established that not only as the composer and arranger of the material on the album, but also with his pianistic skills and technique, which he forcefully asserts throughout the session .Irrespective of style or tempo, hard bop, Latin or soul jazz, McClerkin brings his many years of experience into play as he crafts each tune making a special and distinctive statement with each...." Today, Corky continues his creative contributions to Chicago and to the World.