Washington, DC-born pianist/composer Kerry Politzer is a Portland-based jazz pianist, composer, and educator. She is on the music faculty of Portland State University and the University of Portland. Kerry received a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Piano from the New England Conservatory of Music and is now working on a Master of Music in Jazz Composition from Rowan University. Kerry has released six jazz CDs as a leader, including Blue in Blue, which featured saxophonist Donny McCaslin. She is about to release “In a Heartbeat” (PJCE Records).

Trumpeter/composer Alex Norris, who grew up in Columbia, MD, has performed and recorded extensively in the bands led by Lonnie Plaxico, Jason Lindner, and Ralph Irizarry. Norris has also worked with many noted jazz artists such as Slide Hampton, Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Chris Potter, Carl Allen, John Patitucci, Mulgrew Miller, Brian Blade, Paquito D’Rivera and Chico O’Farrill. He appears on over 80 CDs as a sideman.

Lineup: Kerry Politzer, piano, compositions; Alex Norris, trumpet; Joe Manis tenor saxophone; Garrett Baxter, bass; George Colligan, drums