Album Notes

Ken Berman Defines Acoustic Trio Brilliance on Classic 2003 Recording, The Ken Berman Trio

"The fluid and erudite American artist Ken Berman, whose latest album, "The Ken Berman Trio" combines a complex range of improvisation with delicate sensuality and brilliance."
- Le Monde, May 26, 2004

Pianist and composer Ken Berman weaves a tapestry of beautiful and adventurous jazz sounds with expressive and innovative piano playing on his 2003 recording, The Ken Berman Trio. The CD features seamless and adventurous interplay between Ken, bassist Ippei Ichimaru and drummer Miki Matsuki on four original compositions, and also unique and soulful versions of three jazz standards that take the listener on intimate journey through deep jazz terrain.

The four original compositions on The Ken Berman Trio are intense, spirited and energetic trio explorations. On versions of Gershwin's "But Not for Me," Carmichael's "The Nearness of You" and Strayhorn's "Lotus Blossom," in his playing and in the arrangements he's written, Berman shows deep appreciation for the masters that came before and points in a new direction that welcomes the listener to come along for an exciting jazz adventure. Bassist Ippei Ichimaru meshes with Ken Berman's delicate harmonies adding his own unique palette of colors and grooves while drummer Miki Matsuki lays down an animated and thoughtful pulse that give the compositions added energy, vibrancy and dimension.

Ken Berman has performed at Carnegie Hall, Yoshi's, Detroit's Fox Theater, Boston's Museum of Fine Arts and the Sunside in Paris, as well as at the Knitting Factory in Manhattan. He has performed and recorded with John Lockwood, Bob Moses, Yoron Israel, Bob Gullotti, Jaleel Shaw, Akira Tana, Kai Eckhardt, Remi Vignolo and Take Toriyama among others.

Ken Berman has led various workshops on jazz education and has been the recipient of several artist grants and awards. His 2003 recording, The Ken Berman Trio, has received critical acclaim and has been featured on WGBH radio in Boston, while his 2006 recording, In Mind was featured on jazz radio stations across the United States.

Bassist Ippei Ichimaru is a graduate of Berklee College of Music as well as the Box Hill Institute of Arts in Melbourne, Australia. He has toured extensively throughout the country and has performed with George Garzone, Danilo Perez and Bob Moses as well as with the critically acclaimed improvisational sax trio FourMinusOne.

Drummer Miki Matsuki, also a graduate of Berklee College of Music, has studied with Bob Gullotti and George Garzone. Miki is currently working on her masters in music at the Longy School of Music.