Popsicle Illusion by Joanne Brackeen

“…There’s no predicting where Brackeen will take you, but it’s always worth the trip.” – Larry Appelbaum, JazzTimes

Daring, intense and full of surprises, jazz pianist Joanne Brackeen’s Arkadia Records album, “Popsicle Illusion”, sets a new standard with this remarkable solo piano recording of classic songs and original compositions, creating something fresh with every note that emanates from her piano.

“Joanne’s music embodies a continuous, building, rejuvenating energy that also ignites the listener. And she swings surely and deeply while she hears ahead and around corners in finding harmonies that are personal and yet sound universal.The advantage to hearing Joanne on a recording is that you can hear the music again and again… discovering new dimensions of feeling, time, and fun.” – Nat Hentoff

Brackeen has been serious about Jazz piano since her late teens, when she became part of the LA jazz scene. She worked with Teddy Edwards, Dexter Gordon, Harold Land and Charles Lloyd before moving to New York. After arriving in the Jazz Mecca, she became the first women to fill the distinguished piano chair with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. She proudly admits that Art called her his “adopted daughter”. Before she put together her own group, she also worked with Stan Getz, Freddie Hubbard, and Joe Henderson. Stan Getz wrote that “I found Joanne Brackeen to be an extremely talented performer and one of the most original composers to every work in my group.”

“WOW! Ms Brackeen’s depth and breath (both compositionally and performance-wise) is stunning. I generally think that all solo piano discs are good, but some are better. Popsicle Illusion defines the new category of “More Better”.” – C. Michael Bailey, allaboutjazz.com

Joanne Brackeen is one of jazz’s most prized possessions: a virtuoso pianist and master composer who epitomizes the history and evolution of Jazz from traditional to free, and everything in between; all with a contemporary edge. Arkadia Jazz is pleased to present “Popsicle Illusion”, Joanne Brackeen’s tour-de-force solo piano recording. Joanne’s composition In Vogue, featuring Chris Potter on tenor saxophone, from her debut album with Arkadia Records, “Pink Elephant Magic”, has honored with a Grammy Award Nomination.

“As a Jazz writer, I am the recipient of literally thousands of albums each year. I listen to most, but usually just once. But once in a while, I encounter something magical, a musician whose music cries out for recognition. “Pink Elephant” (by Joanne Brackeen) is one of those recordings and it just begs to be replayed over and over… This is one set of musical images that is guaranteed to survive the ages.” – Brek Primack for Arkadia Jazz

NEA Jazz Master Joanne Brackeen is one of jazz’s most prized possessions: a virtuoso pianist & master composer epitomizing the history and evolution of jazz. Joanne’s unique sound was honed through some jazz legends: Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, Joe Henderson, and Stan Getz. In 1998, she joined New York's Arkadia Records. Her debut release, Pink Elephant Magic, was a Grammy Nominee

arkadiarecords.com