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.
Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.
47 Reviews - 6 Repeat Clients
Endorse Kerry Politzer
check_circleVerifiedKerry 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!
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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.
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Brilliant jazz improviser. Super easy to work with. Thanks!
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We only did one tune, but Kerry is a very talented player, and works well with very broad direction. She figured out how to achieve the style I needed in just a few takes and her playing was expressive and captivating. Highly recommend!
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Kerry does wonderful work. She was able to interpret and create much-needed depth to one of my songs. She's a pleasure to work with, professional, and prompt; the real deal! I highly recommend her.
check_circleVerifiedExcellent work and communication! Amazing musical instincts. Truly professional! I'd be happy collaborate again in a heartbeat.
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Kerry is a top-notch pianist, very responsive, and easy to work with. Highly recommended.
check_circleVerifiedKerry delivered a deeply beautiful piano part that truly tells a story. An enjoyable experience and quick turnaround. Highly recommend.
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Really like Kerry's signature jazz sound. Very talented musician.
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It’s always a pleasure to work with Kerry and this time was no different! She brought my song to life and made it more magical than I could’ve hoped for💗 Her level of talent blows me away! Thank you Kerry!
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Kerry is an amazing artist! Easy communication and great results
check_circleVerifiedKerry is such a talented musician. Very accommodating and easy to work with. She understands subtlety and nuance which adds to her creative ability.
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Kerry is amazing to work with… so kind, talented and knowledgeable! She made my song better than I could’ve hoped for💖. The absolute best!!
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I wish I can play like Kerry! She is good and doesn't try to outshine the other instruments, finds the balance to make all instruments cohesive. I'd do another project with Kerry.
check_circleVerifiedKerry is an awesome musician and is super easy to deal with. The piano track I got from her sounds absolutely gorgeous and is mix-ready. Communication was great and turnaround time was super quick. I'll definitely hire her again for my next project. Highly recommended!
check_circleVerifiedKerry is an amazing musician. Great feel and very nice to work with. I loved the piano part she added on my track.
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It’s been such an amazing experience working with Kerry. Her kindness, professionalism and talent are unmatched. She delivered everything and more I hoped for this project! Thank you Kerry!! 💖
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I am so thankful for Kerry. She has brought such magic to my songs 💖 I can’t say enough about her talent! Thank you!
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.
- 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
