21st November 2025: The New Album From Kerry Politzer: ‘Alternate Route’ Out Now Everywhere…
The brand new album from Kerry Politzer ‘Alternate Route’ — out now on all platforms
CD / DL / 180 gram LP
ABOUT THE ALBUM
Pianist Kerry Politzer is always on the move. As a busy performer, bandleader with nine albums, educator at two universities, and mother of two, time is always of the essence when realising a project. With ten original compositions (and one well-chosen cover) to record and only one day in New York City to capture them, there was no margin for error. For the frontline Kerry picked a pair of legends — Kurt Rosenwinkel on guitar and Jaleel Shaw on alto and soprano sax — while the rhythm section features Alex Claffy, one of NYC’s busiest bassists, alongside her partner George Colligan on drums. In the face of delayed flights and traffic hold-ups, the new album Alternate Route came together with remarkable focus, hitting the highest standards of performance while showcasing the depth and warmth of her challenging but engaging compositions.
‘Before It’s Too Late’ draws on Kerry’s love of Brazilian music with Kurt’s lambent-toned guitar soaring over a modern choro-inspired setting, and he continues to explore Kerry’s sophisticated harmonic palette on the straight-eight groove of ‘Watercolor.’ “Kurt has this incredible harmonic concept, and I wrote ‘Watercolor’ with him in mind,” she says. Jaleel’s burnished sound and impeccable time feel elevate the modern swing of ‘Here We Go Again,’ he leaps through the quirky rumba of ‘Stopped At A Green Light,’ and on the Ravel-influenced ballad ‘The Sunrise Wants to Break Through,’ his soprano sax reveals a deep sensitivity. George Colligan — perhaps better known as a gifted pianist — shows his exceptional talents as a drummer throughout the album, from the fluid New Orleans-inspired groove of ‘Storm Warning’ (written by Harry South) to the expertly navigated metric shifts of ‘Change Of Plans’ and the driving samba of ‘No Present Like The Time.’ On the title track, both Kurt and Jaleel deliver a mesmerizing performance over the oblique boppish theme, while Kerry’s beautifully articulated, swinging piano sets a high bar that the entire band meets with energy and precision.
The album concludes with ‘Tara,’ a meditative, melodic solo piano piece dedicated to a departed friend — poignant and uplifting at the same time. The empathy among the musicians is audible from the first notes. “Kurt, Jaleel and Alex all have Philly roots so there’s a really strong relationship there. Alex is incredibly gifted, and Jaleel has such a huge, recognizable sound. And it was such a thrill to have Kurt on the album — I’ve been a fan for such a long time.” With strong personalities across the band, Kerry gives everyone room to express themselves, yet her compositions and her quietly powerful presence on piano bind everything together: each musician finds their own alternate route to excellence.