Kerry Politzer - Diagonal (2019)

Pianist Kerry Politzer releases her sixth jazz album: a modern tribute to the late Brazilian jazz guitarist/composer Durval Ferreira. For this album, which features eight reworked Ferreira compositions as well as three originals inspired by him, the pianist has assembled a fine cast of sidemen: John Nastos (Dianne Schuur, Esperanza Spalding) on saxophone, flute, and clarinet; noted pianist George Colligan, here on drums; Seattle bassist Tim Carey (Jovino Santos Neto); Ben Graves on acoustic and electric guitars; and Simon Lucas on Brazilian percussion.

This year, Politzer received a Regional Arts and Culture Council grant from the City of Portland to explore Ferreira’s music. After transcribing 30 of his compositions, the pianist chose melodies made famous by Sarah Vaughan, Sergio Mendes, Leny Andrade, and others. “Batida Diferente” is transformed into an uptempo, 7/8 whirlwind, while a reharmonized “The Day It Rained” adds a lovely flute part and Politzer’s hushed vocals. “Chorinho No. 2,” a contrafact written to Ferreira’s original “Chorinho No. 1,” highlights Nastos’ beautiful clarinet playing. “O Gato” is a beboppy tour-de-force that references Ferreira’s nickname (he performed with a group called Os Gatos). The title track, "Diagonal," features an animated bass line and electric guitar solo. The album closes with one of Ferreira’s most popular Brazilian jazz compositions, “Estamos Aí.”

Politzer has been enamored of Brazilian music ever since studying with Luciana Souza at the New England Conservatory of Music. The pianist continued her rhythmic studies with New York percussionist Vanderlei Pereira. She currently heads Bossa PDX, a Portland-based band that pays tribute to the masters of the bossa nova era.