Carmen Staaf

Biography

Carmen Staaf is an acclaimed pianist and composer recognized for her versatility and depth in jazz and improvised music. Born and raised in New York City, Staaf developed her musical foundation through twelve years of classical piano study before immersing herself in jazz and world music traditions. She earned dual degrees in Anthropology from Tufts University and Jazz Performance from the New England Conservatory, and quickly became one of the youngest faculty members ever hired by Berklee College of Music, joining their piano department in 2005[1][3][9].

Staaf's career has flourished through collaborations with many of the most influential figures in contemporary jazz. She has performed at major venues and festivals worldwide, including the Village Vanguard, Blue Note, SFJazz, Newport, Monterey, Montreux, and North Sea Jazz Festivals. Notably, she has played in a two-piano setting with Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter at the Playboy Jazz Festival, appeared with Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and performed solo alongside Kenny Barron and Fred Hersch at the Kennedy Center[1][3][5][6]. Staaf is currently the pianist and Musical Director for NEA Jazz Master Dee Dee Bridgewater, further cementing her reputation as a leading voice in jazz[1][3][5][6].

Her musical style is rooted in straight-ahead jazz but is enriched by influences from Afrocuban, Indian classical, West African, klezmer, and other world traditions. Staaf is also a dedicated educator, holding faculty positions at Berklee, the New School, Stanford Jazz Institute, Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music (India), Jacob’s Pillow, Litchfield Jazz Camp, and the New York Jazz Academy. She has won prestigious awards, including the 2009 Mary Lou Williams Jazz Pianist competition, and her compositions and arrangements have been performed by notable ensembles and artists, contributing to her legacy as both a performer and teacher[1][2][4][8].

Fun Facts

• Staaf was one of the youngest faculty members ever hired by Berklee College of Music, joining the piano department at age 24[1][9].
• She won the prestigious Mary Lou Williams Jazz Pianist competition in 2009 and performed at the Kennedy Center during Mary Lou Williams' centennial celebration[2][8].
• Staaf toured India with the Xylopholks, a ragtime band known for performing in animal costumes[2].
• She was personally approved by Herbie Hancock to transcribe his MasterClass performances and lessons[1].

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Herbie Hancock - Mentor during Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance; performed together and transcribed his MasterClass lessons (Playboy Jazz Festival, MasterClass transcriptions) [2010s]
• Wayne Shorter - Mentor and performance collaborator during Monk Institute studies (Playboy Jazz Festival) [2010s]
• Dee Dee Bridgewater - Mentor and ongoing collaborator as Musical Director and pianist (NPR JazzSet, live performances) [2010s–present]
• Alisa Moshinsky - Classical piano teacher for 12 years; foundational influence (Early classical training) [Childhood–adolescence]
• Sofia Rosoff - Piano pedagogy and holistic technique (Applied Rosoff’s techniques in teaching) [Early career]

Key Collaborators

• Allison Miller - Regular touring and recording partner; co-leader of ensembles (Multiple recordings, tours) [2010s–present]
• Wynton Marsalis - Performance collaborator at Jazz at Lincoln Center (Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra) [2010s]
• Kenny Barron - Performance collaborator at the Kennedy Center (Kennedy Center concerts) [2010s]
• Fred Hersch - Performance collaborator at the Kennedy Center (Kennedy Center concerts) [2010s]
• Austin McMahon, Jorge Roeder, Dan Blake - Band members on her album 'Reflection' (Reflection (2008)) [2008]
• Richie Barshay - Collaborator on Barshay’s album 'Homework' (Homework) [2000s]
• Balla Tounkara - Pianist in Tounkara’s afro-pop group (Live performances) [2000s]

Artists Influenced

• Students at Berklee College of Music, New School, Stanford Jazz Institute, Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music, Jacob’s Pillow, Litchfield Jazz Camp, New York Jazz Academy - Taught and mentored students in jazz performance, improvisation, and composition (Masterclasses, ensemble coaching, private lessons) [2005–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most
2. Every Bear That Ever There Was (All Species Parade)
3. Just a Memory (Hodges: Front and Center, Vol. 1)
4. Ornette Goes Home (All Species Parade)
5. The Sea Also Rises (All Species Parade)
6. Skyway (Science Fair)
7. On Wings Of Change
8. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter (Hodges: Front and Center, Vol. 1)
9. Blues For Our Times
10. Blue Wild Indigo (feat. Carmen Staaf) (Rivers In Our Veins)

External Links

• Spotify
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #jazz