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Curtis Clark

Curtis Clark was born in Chicago in 1950, moved and spent his student years in Los Angeles where he started composing and playing the piano. After Curtis graduated in music theory and composition from the renowned Californian Institute of Arts in Valencia, Curtis set out for New York. There he began working and recording with Angeleno David Murray. Influenced by Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane, Curtis has become a fascinating pianist whose passionate style has been hailed in New York, Paris and Amsterdam (where he was based for many years until his return to the U.S. - he is now situated in New England). While working with various groups, Curtis has played with many great musicians such as Oscar Brown Jr.., Julian Priester, Art Taylor, David Murray, Billy Bang, Richard Davis, Abbey Lincoln, Charles Tyler, Read more

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Liner Notes

Butch Morris: Current Trends in Racism in Modern America

Read "Butch Morris: Current Trends in Racism in Modern America" reviewed by Howard Mandel


When a full house of ardent downtown music followers flocked to the old Kitchen, a performance loft on Broome Street in Manhattan's artsy Soho district on the cold night of February 1, 1985 to hear Current Trends in Racism in Modern America by Lawrence Douglas “Butch" Morris--I don't recall if it was advertised as “Conduction No. 1"--no one knew what to expect. At that time, as now, Butch was an inspired and productive presence on a diversified music ...

314
Album Review

Curtis Clark: Taagi

Read "Taagi" reviewed by John Sharpe


Recorded live on successive nights in May, 2009 in Texas, Taagi provides a welcome bulletin on under-exposed pianist Curtis Clark. Though born in Chicago, Clark first made his mark in Los Angeles back in the 1970s under the influence of the late pianist/bandleader Horace Tapscott. Since then he has resided in Amsterdam, recording with many of the mainstays of the Dutch scene, until recently relocating to New England. An appearance with trumpeter Dennis Gonzalez on A Matter Of Blood (Furthermore, ...

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Recording

Curtis Clark Trio - Taagi (No Business, 2010)

Curtis Clark Trio - Taagi (No Business, 2010)

Source: Music and More by Tim Niland

Pianist Curtis Clark has been under the radar a bit despite a distinguished pedigree, having studied with the great pianist and composer Horace Tapscott and played with eclectic saxophonist David Murray. After living in Europe for a number of years, Clark returned to the U.S. and cut this dynamic trio set with Aaron Gonzalez on bass and Stephan Gonzalez on drums. These men have a fine pedigree of their own, being the sons of the great Dallas trumpeter Dennis Gonzalez. ...

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Recording

Curtis Clark Trio - Taagi (No Business)

Curtis Clark Trio - Taagi (No Business)

Source: Master of a Small House

As was the lot of his mentor Horace Tapscott, pianist Curtis Clark's career continues to unfold largely outside the jazz celebrity limelight. That disparity in popularity relative to talent and activity hasn't slowed him down over the years. Clark's reliably sought out unconventional collaborators both domestic and abroad and managed to build a modest discography through the effort. An audience of those in the know exists for his work and it's one that grows as the word continues to spread. ...

“…Clark performs as if he’s a combination of Bill Evans and Red Garland with tingling arpeggios falling from his fingers.” “…a style that bridges the modernist gap between Thelonious Monk and Cecil Taylor.” JazzWord Reviews

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Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Taagi

NoBusiness Records
2010

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Current Trends in...

Sound Aspects
2010

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Dreams Deferred

Prestige
2005

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Current Trends In...

Sound Aspects Records
1986

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Deep Sea Diver

Prestige
1985

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