Christopher Clarke

Christopher Clarke is a jazz pianist and keyboard musician. He is a classically trained pianist, who discovered jazz in his late teens. Early in his career he performed with McDonalds All-Star Big Band of New York City, led by Lionel Hampton and had a cameo appearance in the Alan Parker film Fame. His mentors include David “Daahoud” Williams and Eddie Baker at the Charles Parker Foundation. During the past decade he has become immersed in the jazz heritage of Kansas City. The breadth of his experiences playing with different bands in a variety of venues, including the American Jazz Museum’s All Star Band at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C., has enriched his appreciation and understanding of jazz. He currently performs with BMW (brothers making waves), Bobby Watson, Jr., Ahmaad Alaadeen and group 21, and with The Mutual Musicians Foundation in Kansas City.

This bio/description was originally published in 2003 and updated in 2013. For more current information, please refer to the award recipient's website (if provided).