Original music and arrangements of standards for Jazz Piano Trio plus String Quartet







pictured at left:
Performance @ The Stone, NYC, July, 2011
w/ Sam Anning (bass), Ziv Ravitz (drums),
Jeffrey Young & Maria Gotoh (violins)
Hannah Levinson (viola), Mindy Asher (cell))

Started in 2011, SKETCHES is a collective project where members write music based on each other's musical ideas. Before each rehearsal members post a sketch from their notebook (e.g. any musical fragment, a collection of fragments, an incomplete tune, etc) and another member uses that as the basis for a new composition. There have been some beautiful results so far!

            The Jarrett Cherner Trio performs music rooted in the jazz piano tradition, blending contemporary influences with those of world music.  Latin rhythms mixed with jazz swing propel improvisations within a modern harmonic framework. With an original repertoire of compositions from pianist and composer Cherner, the trio has been attracting audiences consisting of both veteran jazz fans and those new to jazz.  On the trio’s recently released debut album Burgeoning, the trio takes the listener on a journey though a range of sonic moods, from the angular groove of “Stand Your Own”, through the raucous, bluesy shuffle “Sucker Punch”, to the introspective melody featured in “Somebody Quietly”.  In performance the trio is equally dynamic, constantly searching for new places to take the music and always willing to take the risks that will lead the way.

           Though not their birthplace, all three musicians have emerged from the vibrant Boston jazz scene; Cherner and Roeder met while studying at the New England Conservatory, and Pérez-Albela is a Berklee alumnus.  From San Francisco, Jarrett Cherner earned degrees in both music and math while studying and working in Boston.  His compositions, recently honored by the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Awards, are both melodic and logical and his playing evokes a Keith Jarrett like penchant for lyricism in addition to a rhythmic influence indicative of his studies with Danilo Pérez.  From Lima, Perú, bassist Jorge Roeder adds his warm tone and unshakable beat to the trio, rounding out the low end.  Whether soloing, comping, or dialoging with the band, Roeder’s lines are consistently swinging and freshly musical.  Then there’s drummer Jorge Pérez-Albela, also from Lima. You never know when he’ll slide off his drum set in favor of his cajón or to play an assortment of percussion instruments (take a listen to “Shake The Cage”).  Equally at home swinging and playing Latin rhythms, Pérez-Albela’s rapid responsiveness combined with his rhythmic arsenal keep the trio on its toes.

From Kasey's Wesbite:

"We play my original music arranged for sextet and septet. This is something I am very excited about, it gives me a chance to work on my composing as well as hear some of my favorite bay area musicians play and interpret my music. The group includes ROB EWING on trombone, a wonderfully unique and musical soloist; EVAN FRANCIS on flute and alto saxophone, a tremendous and inspiring improviser; our newest member, JARRETT CHERNER on piano and keyboards, a wonderful improviser that brings a great spirit and freshness to the music; GEORGE BAN-WEISS on acoustic and electric bass, a great bass player with the ability to make everything sound effortless & TIM BULKLEY on drums, a wonderful and creative drummer with fresh ideas and a warm and musical approach."

lyrical melody
searching harmony
heavy groove

Ray, Otis, Stevie, Aretha
for piano & clarinet...?
We though you'd never ask!

Check out Ayanna's Myspace

Ayanna Witter-Johnson, voice & cello
Jarrett Cherner, piano