The gap between innovation and derivation is huge. In the 80s, some new derivative player/writer pianists made it in to the industry. 'Fusion' was also cannibalizing acoustic jazz. Sidemen of renown, and local geniuses in waiting would not reckon that jazz divisions of major labels were mostly ego boutiques, kept alive by passionate gatekeepers with shaky jobs. I willfully took on a derivative style, rather than embracing my birthright. I forgot that 1) even my heroes when alive were mostly on shaky ground, and 2) tons of their unrealized or re-masterable material were still in vaults - waiting!

All tunes by Mark Kramer, BMI except tracks 5 & 6 by Eddie Gómez, BMI. Track 7 by M. Legrand, ASCAP, track 8 by J. Kern, ASCAP.

In memory of Master Piano Craftsman, Musician and Friend: Merrill Jackson, who lovingly worked on the piano heard here.