Album Notes

New Zealand Musician Magazine-

"Kirsten MacKenzie has been a professional musician and teacher of music for over 20 years here and overseas. This is a very beautiful, understated and timeless album, with some exacting performances. Not only are the leader's piano playing and compositions completely riveting, her sidemen (Vaughan Roberts, Tim Robertson and Roger Sellers) are some of the most accomplished players in NZ jazz. The eight original tunes come across as fresh, varied and organic - lovely, light sambas, ballads and one hell of a swing! 'Fragment of the Blues' was produced by Charmaine Ford along with label-mate, guitarist/keyboardist/composer Leigh Jackson - also responsible for mixing the album and for the cover art. All members of MacKenzie's quartet are versatile and talented players; very cohesive, and yet each with fantastic solos. Together they provide a very diverse, relaxing jazz album; an ideal accompaniment to a summer glass of wine".
www.kirstenmackenzie.com

Kirsten Mackenzie has been an established jazz pianist and educator in New Zealand for over 20 years. Currently teaching jazz piano at the New Zealand School of Music, she has studied in London on a Royal Schools of Music Scholarship and has published research on Brad Meldau in Downbeat Magazine. This is her first outing as leader, featuring all original compositions, influenced by Brad Mehldau, Oscar Peterson,John Taylor and Bill Evans. The album is a piano quartet featuring Vaughn Roberts on trumpet, who recently won the 2006 Tui jazz award in New Zealand for album of the year. Featuring Roger Sellers on drums – formerly of Ronnie Scott’s London, and Ian Carr’s ‘Nucleus .’ On bass, Tm Robertson, currently living and working in London while he works towards his Masters Degree in acoustic jazz bass playing.