Classically trained jazz pianist is available for a variety of genres, including pop, folk, and world music. Vocal accompaniment a specialty.
A graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, Kerry has been writing, composing, and performing piano music for almost three decades. She currently teaches jazz improvisation at Portland State University.
In addition to providing audio files, Kerry can create piano sheet music, lead sheets, and arrangements.
Kerry has released seven albums as a leader; they can be found on all major streaming platforms.
I'd love to hear about your project. Click the 'Contact' button above to get in touch.
Credits
Discogs verified credits for Kerry PolitzerEndorse Kerry Politzer63 Reviews - 8 Repeat Clients
check_circleVerifiedOnce again, very creative and very responsive!
Thanks, Kerry. :)
check_circleVerifiedKerry is incredibly creative, professional, and fast! Highly recommended.
- check_circleVerified
Thank you again, Kerry. Superbly played and rapid turnaround time!
- check_circleVerified
Continued excellence from Kerry. She's really adding to the overall quality of my LP. And if you are concerned about turnaround time, wow, she's who you'll want! She doesn't play! She gets the job done!!! (Well,she plays, and plays well, but you know what I mean)
- check_circleVerified
Another fine (and same-day!) job from Kerry!
- check_circleVerified
Excellence and expeditiousness all together in one place. A true pro. Thanks, Kerry! No doubt I'll come knocking on your door again. :)
check_circleVerifiedAs always, it was a pleasure working with Kerry! Her level of professionalism is refreshing and I'm blown away with her skill and talent. The arrangement and piano playing for my song are so elegant and lush. She brought my song to life. Thank you Kerry!
- check_circleVerified
Hi , Kerry contacted me immediately and finished it one day. She was very easy to work with. Before I could upload a chord track, she had already figured it out and was done with it. Nice job Kerry!
- check_circleVerified
I was impressed with how quickly Kerry replied to my messages. She was patient with my music illiteracy and is extremely talented. I 100% recommend her services.
- check_circleVerified
Beautiful bossa jazz track.
Quick delivery and very professional.
We're looking forward for opportunities to work with her again. - check_circleVerified
Quick delivery and great quality as before jobs.
- check_circleVerified
Kerry is very careful and professional.
We came back to work with her after our first job.
Both jobs are successful and quick. We're satisfied with her tracks.
We're looking forward for opportunities to work with her again. - check_circleVerified
Kerry delivered high quality work with a quick turnaround, really adding to the track with her piano work. A great collaborator.
- check_circleVerified
We are very satisfied with her work.
Though we have some difficulty at first, due to the different in way of work (we are Vietnamese).
But after some clarification, we quickly understand each other.
And the job is done immediately right after. - check_circleVerified
Kerry’s work was exceptional! She responded quickly and decisively. The end product was better than anticipated. Would recommend wholeheartedly. 🙏🏼
- check_circleVerified
We are incredibly grateful to Kerry for her thorough and professional approach throughout this project. She took the time to ask insightful questions and was patient with our responses, ensuring we received exactly what we envisioned. Her piano playing was flawless and accurate, while also bringing a much-needed personal expression and interpretation that truly elevated the project. Thank you, Kerry, for your dedication and artistry!
- check_circleVerified
Kerry added some beautiful keys to my track. She has a fantastic ear, sensitively embellishing the track with great taste. A sterling job. Thanks a million Kerry!
- check_circleVerified
Kerry is an incredible musician. She was very sensitive to the track I sent her, embellishing it with great taste and musicality without overplaying. She was also a pleasure to deal with. Thanks so much Kerry!
check_circleVerifiedKerry provided some seriously stellar keys for my song. Quick turnaround time and very professional. Thanks!
check_circleVerifiedExcellent as always! Very kind and easy to work with.
Interview with Kerry Politzer
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: George Colligan (hire us for your jazz vocal album with piano, trumpet, bass and drums) and Laura Dreyer (she can provide the saxophone and flute arrangements).
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: It's fun.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: I guess they would have to be portable. I would take my ReFace controller, my Focusrite 4i4, my Yamaha classical guitar, my laptop and a RODE USB mic.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been playing music ever since I was a child. I attended the North Carolina School of the Arts for classical piano, went on to the New England Conservatory where I was exposed to jazz and Brazilian music, and I've just finished a Master of Music at Rowan University, focusing on jazz composition.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I don't know, jazzy?
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: American and Brazilian jazz, but I'm open to all genres of music where I can contribute something musical. I like working on a wide variety of projects.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: I always try to give it my all, and I communicate frequently so that I can deliver what the client wants.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a Yamaha U-1 piano, a Focusrite Scarlett 414, a Yamaha P-255, several RODE and Sennheiser mics, some iRig, ReFace, and Nektar controllers, an Ovation acoustic-electric guitar, a Yamaha classical guitar and a Gretsch Streamliner (while my primary instrument is piano, I sometimes write on guitar). I use Logic Pro.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Multi-instrumentalist George Colligan, whom I also work with here on SoundBetter.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I record piano or keyboard tracks. I also create backing tracks for vocalists. I also help with arranging or finding good chords for songs, sometimes making charts.
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: The pandemic has forced all of us to reevaluate how we create and disseminate music. I recently produced and performed on Music of Brazilian Masters, an online series that honors great Brazilian composers and features great pianists in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. So far, there are two episodes, which can be found on YouTube. While the first was a live Zoom meeting, the second was a pre-recorded program with several interviews of great Brazilian musicians and some wonderful performances.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I'm printing out charts of original compositions for a livestreamed jazz quintet gig (the audience will be entirely online).
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both!
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: To do my best.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: I am usually asked how long a project will take me to complete; the answer depends on how involved the work is.
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: Hmm. Well, that it's easy?
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: I ask about the details of their projects, their deadlines, and how I can best enhance their music.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: There are lots of great musicians on this platform - try to find the one who will best complement your project (it might be me!).
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: I would like to work with any artist who cares deeply about communicating through music.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Don't be afraid to do another take if you weren't happy with the first one.
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Playing tasty licks on the piano.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: It depends on the project!
I was the pianist and composer in this production
- PianoAverage price - $125 per song
- Keyboards - SynthAverage price - $125 per song
- Songwriter - MusicAverage price - $125 per song
I usually charge an additional $25 if no chart is provided. Two revisions are included in my fee, after which a fee is charged for additional takes.
- Eliane Elias
- Bill Evans
- Chick Corea
- Modartt Pianoteq 7
- Yamaha acoustic piano and digital P-255
- Scarlett Focusrite 4i4
- Sibelius
- Logic Pro X
Depending on project, multiple tracks may be negotiated for lower rate
