Frank Carlberg
Pianist, composer Frank Carlberg is a native of Helsinki, Finland. Following some years of classical studies, he became interested in jazz after listening to his father’s recordings of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Oscar Peterson. Initially, Carlberg tried to imitate the players of the records and then took some lessons from local jazz musicians. In 1984 Carlberg decided to enroll at Berklee College of Music in Boston. While at Berklee he played with fellow students such as Jim Black, Chris Cheek, Antonio Hart, Sam Newsome, Chris Speed, Ben Street, as well as faculty members Robert Freedman, George Garzone, Hal Crook, Herb Pomeroy and John LaPorta. During the summers, in between the academic years at Berklee, Carlberg toured in Europe extensively with various groups.
After receiving his Bachelor’s degree from Berklee in 1990, Carlberg decided to continue his studies at the New England Conservatory of Music. While at the Conservatory, he came under the influence of jazz masters such as Paul Bley, Ran Blake, Geri Allen and Jimmy Giuffre. The music and thinking of these musicians had a profound impact on Carlberg and set him on a path in search of a personal expression. Carlberg received a Master’s degree from the New England Conservatory in 1992.
It was in 1992 that Carlberg finally released Blind Drive (Accurate Records) • his first recording as a leader. This was a trio effort featuring Ben Street on bass and Michael Sarin on drums with a program consisting of mostly original compositions. It was through this recording that Carlberg’s music initially caught the attention of the critics. Jon Andrews describes the CD in DownBeat as “sophisticated, approachable music played with both freedom and discipline”. Carlberg’s next recording, Ugly Beauty (Northeastern Records), was a duo recording with vocalist Christine Correa. This was to be the first of many collaborations. Ugly Beauty was a mix of folk music (Indian and Finnish) as well as free improvisations, original compositions and jazz repertoire reflecting the eclecticism and influence of Ran Blake. Paul Robicheau writes in the Boston Globe that “……it would be hard to find an album as gorgeous and sophisticated as Ugly Beauty”.
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Album Review
- Charity and Love by Dan Bilawsky
- Night Devoid of Stars by Jerome Wilson
- Night Devoid of Stars by Jack Bowers
- Monk Dreams, Hallucinations And Nightmares by Angelo Leonardi
Multiple Reviews
Album Review
- Uncivilized Ruminations by Eyal Hareuveni
- Tivoli Trio by Mark Corroto
- The American Dream by Eyal Hareuveni
- In the Land of Art by Elliott Simon
- Variations On A Summer Day by Mark Corroto
July 07, 2016
Red Piano Records To Release The Frank Carlberg Large Ensemble: "Monk...
October 16, 2015
Red Piano Records To Release The New Recording From Pianist/Composer...
October 09, 2015
Red Piano Records To Release "Cosmopolitan Greetings" From Frank...
March 27, 2015
Red Piano Records To Release The Debut Recording From:...
September 30, 2013
New England Conservatory's Jazz Studies Department Presents October...
October 13, 2011
Frank Carlberg's Piano and Compositions Come to the Forefront in...
February 25, 2010
Pianist/Composer Frank Carlberg's Cinematic "Tivoli Trio" Available...
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