British Born/New York Based Composer and Pianist Andrew McCormack Releases "First Light"

Andrew McCormack is a composer and pianist at the pinnacle of his creative powers. Born in 1978 in the UK and now residing in New York, McCormack has built a formidable reputation as one of Britain’s hottest pianists and a composer of undeniable skill and talent. In 2007 McCormack burst onto the scene with his debut album, Telescope, a masterful recording that fused the pianist’s inimitable free flowing melodic lines with his powerful rhythmic pulse to memorable effect

Since then, McCormack has toured the globe as a bandleader with his trio and in duo with saxophonist Jason Yarde, with whom he has released the acclaimed albums, MY Duo in 2010 and Places and Other Spaces in 2011. As a sideman, McCormack has been the driving force behind A-list jazzers Kyle Eastwood, Eric Alexander, Denys Baptiste and Jean Toussaint, as well as a host of home grown talent.

Developing and honing a skilfully original approach to writing and performance in the jazz tradition, McCormack has captivated audiences with his emotional and expressive style combined with a yearning, emotive aesthetic, which might be described as quintessentially British. His move to New York has arguably added an even greater sense of swing, dynamic group interplay and a mesmeric live sound.

The result is a world-class pianist and formidable composer, who is ready to take that career-defining stride on to the international stage. With a stable home at Edition Records, new management, great press and a forthcoming trio album First Light, along with the crack New York team of Zack Lober on bass and Colin Stranahan on drums, 2014 looks set to be Andrew McCormack’s year.

Launching the album on July 10th 2014 at London’s Pizza Express, McCormack was joined on the second set by new Edition signing, extraordinarily talented Finnish trumpeter & composer Verneri Pohjola. This 36 year-old from Helsinki has been in the international spotlight for the past few years, and is acknowledged as a jazz star in the making, having released his two previous albums on the German ACT label to huge critical acclaim. Pohjola’s new album featuring pianist Aki Rissanen, bassist Antti Lötjönen and drummer Teppo Mäkynen will be released in early 2015. ~ Edition Records