“Reviews: Luis Perdomo One of New York’s most eloquent young pianists takes a big step forward, using the trio format to concoct a program that’s rippling with complexity and animation while still managing to leave plenty of breathing room. A powerhouse disc. — The Boston Phoenix Awareness (RKM) is the second release by the pianist Luis Perdomo, and it marks a significant advance: he plays with exploratory urgency, and his compositions take unforced yet unexpected turns. — New York Times Just when you thought piano trio recordings were sluggish and predictable, along comes Awareness. Highly recommended. (See full review.) — All About Jazz A rather amazing improviser, the pianist is making a name for himself by feverishly assaulting the progressive edge of mainstream jazz. — Village Voice With distinction, Perdomo has graced the bands of, among many others, Ravi Coltrane, David Sanchez, John Patitucci and Ray Barretto. Now it’s his time to shine. Given the exposure, he could win standing ovations at concert halls everywhere and give the Keith Jarretts of this world some strong competition. It’s doubtful whether I’ll hear a more outstanding piano record all year. Please check it out. (See full review.) — Jazzwise UK Luis Perdomo, dont le premier opus avait nous conquis, frappe plus haut et plus fort avec l’exceptionnel Awareness qui conjugue sur certaines plages les forces vives d’Hans Glawischnig (contrebasse) et Eric McPherson ( batterie), membres de son trio “officiel” et d’Henry Grimes (contrebass) et Nasheet Waits ( batterie). Une maîtrise époustouflante de l’instrument, un sens rythmique et un goût du risque indubitables font de ce natif de Caracas une des voix les plus passionnantes du moment. — Jazz Magazine The majority of Awareness is more challenging than many contemporary piano trios, but on the fiery “Polaris” the trio swings hard with the best of them. Focus Point was one of the strongest debuts of 2004, and Awareness is an equally notable follow-up which deserves similar accolades this year. — All About Jazz Venezuela-born pianist Luis Perdomo plays hard, earnest jazz, with Latin jazz serving as his jumping off point. Nine of the 11 cuts are his, and his penchant for mixing things up with various personnel is evident from track to track. The opener is a sizzling Latin blues, an appropro intro, but then comes a couple of off-kilter numbers that suggest restless fermentations, the crack band of altoist Miguel Zenón, Ravi Coltrane on tenor, bassist Ugonna Okegowo and drummer Ralph Peterson playing in a spirit akin to Miles Davis and Ornette Coleman, circa mid '60s fast-forwarded to the 21st century. Procession" is a pretty melody that might suggest a funeral or a walk in the woods. Played as a trio number this ballad gives off mourning, mystery and a break from the syncopated intensity of the first three songs. The more lyrical side to Perdomo's writing continues with the zest "San Millan." Played with the same trio (bassist Carol DeRosa) plays percussionist Roberto Quintero, the song's melody lines are both oblique and fetching, Perdomo's peppery right-hand moves are the perfect match for what amounts to a warm, almost soothing left-handed chordal attack. Throughout Focus Point, Perdomo's apparent aversion to a formulaic through Perdomo's musical veins. — John Ephland, Downbeat Magazine With an amalgam of his totally consummate choice of jazz musicians, jazz pianist Luis Perdomo embarks on his take of the world of Latin & bebop. Luis & his group perform with a highly developed singular style, plus a lovely balance of gloriously fluid technique, as well as an endless flow of linear musical ideas. Perdomo attacks you with his melodic flurries of pianistic prowess, but technique aside, Luis says something with his Tatum-esque talent(s). I predict that Luis Perdomo will attract full international attention as a gifted improvisationalist as well as a technically assured jazz pianist for years to follow. — George W. Carroll, The Musicians' Ombudsman The jazz sections of record stores are crying "incoming" as archival reissues and box sets arrive for Christmas. More about those at a later date. For now try not to let smaller records slip through the cracks: ones by young artists on small labels (their own, in some cases) who don't have the marketing budget for displays at the chain stores. These players are the glue of the New York scene; if their albums don't turn up in many CD stores, use the Web addresses here. Focus Point Luis Perdomo The Venezuelan-born pianist Luis Perdomo plays serious, analytical music, wrapped in complexities of rhythm, with curling unison lines for piano and saxophone set over the interlocking of a drum set and a pair of batá drums. His sound is related to the music of Steve Coleman, Danilo Perez, Vijay Iyer and Dave Holland: the apotheosis of the groove, and its development through Afro-Cuban rhythms and funk. For Focus Point (RKM), his first album, Mr. Perdomo plays with Ravi Coltrane (in whose band he has been a permanent member for some years now); the Puerto Rican saxophonist Miguel Zenón, a graceful, light-toned musician; the drummer Ralph Peterson; and other contributors. As with the albums above, the tracks differ widely, from solos to duets to quartets and quintets. This music is energetically limber, and proof that "Latin jazz" is an almost misleadingly clinical term. At this level, jazz and Latin music have dissolved into each other. [To purchase copies of Focus Point, please contact Mariah Wilkins.] — Ben Ratliff, New York Times, "Critic's Choice: New CD's Another smoking Venezuelan pianist with the potential for jazz stardom. Perdomo is an in-demand sideman in New York working with name players like John Patitucci, Ray Barretto, Brian Lynch, and Ravi Coltrane. With his debut record coming out this summer on RKM Records, we should see his star rise considerably. Look for it. — Andrew Lienhard, JazzHouston, "Ten Emerging Jazz Stars for 2004 Pianist Luis Perdomo is a forceful rhythmic player, as well as being chordally inventive. — Dave Greenberger, Amazon.com ...Pianist Luis Perdomo emerges as one of the tradition's best new interpreters. — Mark Holston, Hispanic Magazine Standing out from the pack is pianist Luis Perdomo whose playing and composition skills are exceptional. As evident here and his work with other notable musicians like saxophonist Jane Bunett and percussionist Marlon Simon, Perdomo is in serious contention to become one of the more important Jazz Latino pianist/composers in the next ten years. — John Davis, Latin Jazz Club More melodic and less pyrotechnically inclined than someone like Valdés, he still has plenty of firepower when it's needed. Serious chops, as they say. — Maurice Bottomley, Pop Matter Luis Perdomo is strong and tasty on piano, both chords and lines, many touches often recalling McCoy Tyner's work. — Steve Koenig, La Folia”
