Evento

Merrimans' Playhouse Jazz Performance Series presents Rob Clearfield Quintet

Up and coming Chicago jazz pianist Rob Clearfield makes his triumphant return to Merriman's Playhouse with his new quintet, fresh on the heels on their debut album, "The Long and Short of It." Drawing heavily on his background in rock and classical music, Rob has created a sound which the Chicago Tribune describes as "making urgent lyricism its highest priority."

Scott Burns-tenor saxophone
John Kregor-guitar
Rob Clearfield-piano, keyboards
Patrick Mulcahy-bass
Xavier Breaker-drums

Throughout his career, Rob has had the privilege of performing and recording with such artists as John Wetton, Fareed Haque, Rakalam Bob Moses, Steve Gorn, Ernie Watts, Zach Brock, and Grazyna Auguscik, among others. In addition to his own projects, he is also a member of Matt Ulery's Loom, District 97, Hood Smoke, Outertown, and Greg Ward's Fitted Shards.

On the new quintet album, Rob says:
"This band was formed in the fall of 2010 for a performance at the Chicago Cultural Center. As the band has continued from there, I've tried to engage as a composer with the jazz tradition more directly than in past projects, without abandoning my rock roots. Some pieces are heavily composed, others very improvisational, but thanks to the musicians I'm fortunate enough to work with, we were able to sustain a consistent and focused group sound across these eight diverse compositions. This group features four of my favorite musicians in Chicago: Scott Burns (Chicago Jazz Orchestra), John Kregor (Patricia Barber, Grazyna Auguscik), Patrick Mulcahy (District 97) and Eric Montzka (Patricia Barber). This is our debut recording."