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Italy 2025: OperaEstate Bassano – Lilian Terry Celebration Concert

July 23rd, 2025: “Lilian Terry Celebration” concert in a packed Bassano Del Grappa, Italy, as part of the Operaestate Festival Veneto 2025 concert series. Featuring Francesco Crosara, Beppe Calamosca, Luigi Sella, Massimo Zemolin, Stefano Olivato, Davide Ragazzoni, Gianluca Carollo, Marcello Tonolo, Agnese Bozzetto, Mattia Cala Calamosca, Roberto Beggio and the Old Style Quartet.
A huge thank you to the Città di Bassano del Grappa, the musicians, the sound engineers, piano technicians, and the fans for celebrating the memory of my mother Lilian, and her contribution to Jazz and music education in Italy.

Photo credits by Roberto Campagnolo, Fiorenzo Ederosi, and Julia Wright Crosara. Sound engineering by Diego Piotto.

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From Bassanonet.it

Lilian’s Day

Mercoledì 23 luglio l’ultima serata di Bassano Sotto le Stelle, dedicata alla musica jazz. Con un omaggio a Lilian Terry, la signora del jazz italiano che tanto ha dato alla città di Bassano e che dalla città di Bassano è stata a lungo dimenticata

Pubblicato il 21-07-2025
Alessandro Tich, Direttore Responsabile, Bassanonet.it

Se esiste davvero la categoria dei “bassanesi d’adozione”, lei ne ha fatto parte a pieno titolo.
Anche se la città di Bassano del Grappa, a cui tanto ha dato nel campo della ribalta musicale, si è presto dimenticata di lei.
Ma ecco che la memoria di Lilian Terry (Il Cairo, 1930 – Nizza, 2023), vero nome all’anagrafe Liliane Cachia, riceverà finalmente nella nostra città il tributo che le spetta.|
Soprannominata “la signora del jazz italiano”, cantante jazz di prim’ordine con un importante curriculum concertistico e discografico, figura artistica cosmopolita e di rilievo internazionale, compositrice nonché conduttrice sia radiofonica che televisiva per la RAI negli anni ’60, Lilian (la chiamo anche con il solo nome perché l’ho conosciuta bene a Bassano, per il mio lavoro in TV, ed eravamo diventati amici) ha dedicato una parte importante della sua vita alla promozione di eventi e di progetti educativi mirati a far conoscere la musica jazz.
E lo ha fatto soprattutto a Bassano del Grappa, nelle cui vicinanze si era stabilita attorno agli anni ’80.
Qui ha fondato e diretto la Scuola Popolare di Musica Dizzy Gillespie, che aveva sede al Centro Giovanile ed era dedicata al leggendario trombettista jazz americano e grande amico della stessa Lilian Terry che riuscì a portarlo più volte in Italia.
L’apoteosi avvenne nel 1987 proprio a Bassano del Grappa, in occasione del 70simo compleanno di Gillespie, icona mondiale del jazz grazie anche alle sue caratteristiche “guancione” che suonando la tromba lui gonfiava come una mongolfiera, carica di abilità esecutiva e di simpatia umana.
In quelle irripetibili giornate mister Dizzy, invitato a Bassano dalla vulcanica Lilian, inaugurò di persona la Scuola Popolare di Musica a lui intitolata, rendendo il taglio del nastro un evento storico.
Poi ebbe anche l’onore di ricevere le chiavi della città di Bassano del Grappa – penso le ultime, a mia personale memoria – dal sindaco dell’epoca Gianni Tasca, diventandone così un cittadino onorario.
Lilian Terry aveva inoltre organizzato un’indimenticabile conferenza stampa con l’illustre ospite all’ex Caffè Excelsior, oggi Helmut Pub, all’angolo di viale Venezia con viale delle Fosse.
Quindi il gran finale: la grande festa in musica di compleanno “Dizzy’s Day”, allo Stadio Velodromo Mercante.
Era l’11 settembre (che non era ancora una data nefasta per il mondo occidentale) di quell’anno.
Oltre 5000 persone convenute da ogni dove e un “concert party” dalle 5 del pomeriggio alle 2.30 del mattino in cui suonarono un centinaio di musicisti – sempre invitati a Bassano dalla autorevole Lilian – tra cui Max Roach, Johnny Griffin, Milt Jackson, Randy Brecker, Tullio De Piscopo.
Col momento clou dell’enorme torta di compleanno al pistacchio e a sette ripiani con 70 candeline sopra, per spegnere le quali, con un’altra iconica gonfiata di guance, il mitologico festeggiato Dizzy Gillespie dovette salire su una scaletta.
Ho ricuperato tutto questo dalla mia “memory card” non solo per ricordare un grande appuntamento degno di essere ricordato ma anche per sottolineare il livello degli eventi, mai più proposti da allora con questo tipo di format, che Bassano del Grappa era capace di organizzare.

Basterebbero queste due cose – la Scuola Popolare di Musica Dizzy Gillespie e l’eco internazionale del grande evento “Dizzy’s Day” – per rimarcare la constatazione di quanto sia stato incredibile il progressivo oblio riservato dalla città di Bassano del Grappa a Lilian Terry negli anni successivi.
Perché è stato così: arrivederci e neanche “grazie”.
Con il tempo i rapporti tra l’instancabile fondatrice e animatrice della Scuola e le istituzioni cittadine sono andati a scemare, al punto che successivamente la signora del jazz italiano si è trasferita all’estero.
E alla fine, nel 1996, la Scuola Popolare di Musica Dizzy Gillespie, che comprendeva anche una sezione per allievi non vedenti, ha chiuso definitivamente i battenti.
Ma per fortuna non ha chiuso i battenti la sua eredità: in quella Scuola infatti si sono formati ma hanno anche insegnato e da quella Scuola sono usciti fior di musicisti jazz, oggi protagonisti della scena jazzistica contemporanea.
Sono in buona parte gli stessi musicisti che dopodomani, mercoledì 23 luglio, renderanno omaggio – finalmente, lo ribadisco – alla memoria di Lilian Terry.
Accadrà in occasione di Bassano City of Jazz, la manifestazione di Operaestate Festival che animerà in centro storico il terzo e ultimo appuntamento di Bassano Sotto le Stelle, organizzato assieme al Comune e alla Confcommercio.
Sul palco principale di piazza Libertà si esibirà il “The Lilian Terry Teachers Collective” con Beppe Calamosca al trombone, Gigi Sella al sax, Gianluca Carollo alla tromba, Marcello Tonolo al pianoforte, Massimo Zemolin alla chitarra, Stefano Olivato al basso elettrico e Davide Ragazzoni alla batteria.
A seguire, sullo stesso palco, si esibiranno il Francesco Crosara Trio, con Francesco Crosara (figlio di Lilian Terry) al pianoforte, Stefano Olivato al basso e Davide Regazzoni alla batteria, oltre allo Stefano Olivano Armonica Trio e all’Old Style Quartet di Roberto Baggio, quest’ultimo composto da ex allievi della Scuola Popolare di Musica Dizzy Gillespie ed allievi del compartimento jazz del Conservatorio Steffani di Castelfranco Veneto.
Oltre al concerto-memorial in piazza Libertà, una decina di altri gruppi saranno disseminati in tutto il centro storico, interpreti delle diverse declinazioni e stili del jazz contemporaneo, in un programma curato con l’associazione musicale Bacàn.
E così, 38 anni dopo il “Dizzy’s Day”, Bassano del Grappa avrà il suo “Lilian’s Day”.
Non ci sarà l’enorme torta di compleanno a sette ripiani di pistacchio ma, me lo auguro, un omaggio in musica a sette ripiani di gratitudine.

Francesco Crosara Quartet at Quincy Square Grand Opening Festival

QUINCY SQUARE GRAND OPENING FESTIVAL, BREMERTON: July 12th, 2025

FRANCESCO CROSARA QUARTET: Francesco Crosara, keyboards, Jonathan Campbell, saxophone & EWI, Rob Hutchinson, bass, Ronnie Bishop, drums

Graphics by Julia Wright Crosara

Francesco Crosara & Ben Thomas – Piano & Vibes…

NORTH CITY BISTRO, June 19th, 2025, 7 to 9 PM

PIANO / VIBES DUET: Francesco Crosara, piano, Ben Thomas, vibes

North City Bistro is proud to present an intimate jazz duet performance by pianist Francesco Crosara and vibraphonist Ben Thomas. The duo will explore musical concepts based on improvisation, original compositions, and select jazz standards. Expect lyrical, exuberant, and introspective music.

FRANCESCO CROSARA is a Seattle-based Italian jazz pianist, composer and educator performing in a variety of formations. Crosara’s original music melds an impressive mix of jazz improvisation, a romantic vein from his classical Conservatory training in Rome, bouncy lyrical expression along with strong Latin influences. His main jazz piano influences are Chick Corea, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Herbie Hancock. Crosara stands among the European-bred jazz greats, performing over the years with the likes of Lionel Hampton, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Hargrove, Richie Cole, Bobby Shew, Ira Sullivan, Don Menza, Von Freeman, John Heard, Gabe Baltazar, Mayuto Correa, Bruce Forman, Barbara Morrison, Earl Palmer, Lilian Terry, and more. His recordings have featured a multicultural and international array of musicians. He has performed at festivals and venues across the USA, Japan, Canada, Mexico, France, Spain, and Italy. Since 2017, the Pacific Northwest can claim Crosara’s talents, too. His acoustic trio was selected to perform at the 2021 Earshot Jazz Festival in Seattle, and Crosara’s creations were featured in the trend-setting series Earshot Jazz: The Second Century (2019 and 2020) for their bold and innovative music composition and video editing work. Equally adept with acoustic and electric jazz concepts, Crosara routinely headlines trios and quartets with the area top musicians. Crosara’s latest CD project, “Circular Motion”, released in 2024 by Origin/OA2 Records, was nominated for a Golden Ear Award, and it features all original material, including fresh interpretations of some of his earlier repertoire, composed over a period of 40 years.

“A pianist who originally hails from Italy, Crosara is well-versed in bop lore, and his delicate flow might indicate a debt to Bill Evans.” – Down Beat Magazine

“Crosara’s compositions are considerate of their audience, providing a source of joy, comfort, escape, and healing. Crosara believes jazz is a collective experience and a living language that distills a multitude of identities, backgrounds, and personalities.” – Earshot Jazz

BEN THOMAS is one of the most in-demand vibists in the Pacific Northwest. Known for combining virtuosic technique with flowing lyricism, Thomas’s music spans from pyrotechnic improvisations to delicate soundscapes. In addition to leading jazz and tango ensembles, he performs as a sideman on mallets, percussion, and bandoneon with a wide variety of groups throughout the United States, including the Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto and the Atlas Tango Project. He currently has five albums of original compositions available on Origin Records: “Triskaidekaphobia”, “The Mystagogue”, “The Madman’s Difference”, “Yet What Is Any Ocean…”, and “Eternal Aporia”. Thomas completed his Doctor of Musical Art in Percussion Performance at the University of Washington in 2007. His dissertation was on the development of Cal Tjader’s early Latin Jazz vibraphone style. Thomas received his Master of Music with Honors in Improvisation from the University of Michigan in 1994. While in graduate school, he directed the University of Michigan’s Jazz Composers Orchestra and worked with composer Stephen Rush. Thomas
also graduated from Swarthmore College, where he majored in mathematics and music. Over the years, Thomas has performed at the Stowe Tango Music Festival, Ballard Jazz Festival, Earshot Jazz Festival, Detroit-Montreaux Jazz Festival, Bumbershoot Arts Festival, Issaquah Jazz Festival, Anacortes Arts Festival, Ellensburg Jazz in the Valley Festival, Tacoma Maritime Festival, Bellingham Art of Jazz Series, and the Juneau Jazz and Classics Festival. As a composer, Thomas has written for chamber groups, big bands, jazz combos, dance and theater. Thomas is currently chair of the Music Department at Highline College, where he teaches music theory, composition, and performance.

“Ben is a great composer, and an energetic performer who knows how deep music can go. It’s
always fun to play with him.” – Jovino Santos Neto

Graphic and photos by Julia Crosara

Francesco Crosara Quartet at Olympia Jazz Central

OLYMPIA JAZZ CENTRAL, June 16^{^th}, 2025

FRANCESCO CROSARA QUARTET: Francesco Crosara, keyboards, Alexey Nikolaev, saxophones, Osama Afifi, bass, Steven Bentley, drums

Francesco Crosara, the Italian-born jazz pianist composer based in the Northwest, will debut for Olympia Jazz Central with a quartet performance at Olympia Eagles on June 16^th. He will be joined by an all-star ensemble, featuring saxophonist Alexey Nikolaev, bassist Osama Afifi, and Olympia’s own drummer Steven Bentley.

Crosara will present original music selections from the critically acclaimed 2024 album CIRCULAR MOTION (Origin/OA2 Records), which was nominated for a Golden Ear Award by Earshot Jazz Magazine. Along with his compositions, expect introspective, energetic, and nuanced arrangements of select jazz standards.

Crosara’s original music melds an impressive mix of jazz improvisation, a romantic vein from his classical Conservatory training in Rome, bouncy lyrical expression along with strong Latin influences. His main jazz piano and stylistic influences are Chick Corea, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, Herbie Hancock, and Joe Zawinul.

Crosara stands among the European-bred jazz greats, performing over the years with the likes of Lionel Hampton, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Hargrove, Richie Cole, Bobby Shew, Ira Sullivan, Don Menza, Von Freeman, John Heard, Gabe Baltazar, Mayuto Correa, Bruce Forman, Barbara Morrison, Earl Palmer, Lilian Terry, and more. His recordings have featured a multicultural and international array of musicians. He has performed at festivals and venues across the USA, Japan, Canada, Mexico, France, Spain, and Italy.

“A pianist who originally hails from Italy, Crosara is well-versed in bop lore, and his delicate flow might indicate a debt to Bill Evans.” – Down Beat Magazine

Graphic and photos by Julia Wright Crosara

EARSHOT JAZZ: MDC Re-Ignites Jazz Education in Puget Sound

MDC Instrument Gifting photo courtesy of Fairview Middle School

EARSHOT JAZZ MAGAZINE: MAY 2025 ISSUE:

https://www.earshot.org/2025-05-music-discovery-center-re-ignites-jazz-education-in-puget-sound

For 15 years starting in 1960, the Olympic College Jazz Festival was a proving ground for budding jazz musicians in the Northwest. Overseen by Ralph Mutchler, then the Olympic College Jazz Director, the event drew dozens of middle school and high school jazz bands from Washington state to compete in front of an all-star panel of adjudicators. But its success was its initial undoing. The festival folded in 1975 with Mutchler referring to it as “a monster of our own creation.”

Fast forward a full 50 years and the competition has returned. Now dubbed the Quincy Square Jazz Festival, the recent event brought nine jazz ensembles, including groups from Bainbridge Island and Kingston, to Olympic College for a brand new tournament. The day-long festival concluded with the top two high school groups from Ballard and Gig Harbor, and the top middle school band representing Fairview Middle School, performing at a gala event at Bremerton’s Roxy Theatre. The finale was a sell out.

“It’s really, really exciting,” says Francesco Crosara, celebrated jazz pianist and board president of Music Discovery Center (MDC), the non-profit that helped bring the Quincy Square Jazz Festival back to life. “Ralph Mutchler’s family was there, and his son gave the trophy to the band that won. It’s really wonderful that not just the MDC, but also Olympic College really embraced this idea.”

The Quincy Square Jazz Festival is just one of the many vital initiatives the MDC has undertaken since its founding in 2019. Led by a team of musicians and music lovers from around the state, the non-profit has developed a number of programs, all with the goal of encouraging young people to start or continue making music.

For Crosara, the work he does with MDC (outside of his own schedule of performing and recording) is a part of what he sees as the great continuum; a road he once travelled when he began studying the piano as a young man growing up in Italy. Mentored by the likes of Dizzy Dillespie and Chick Corea, in his own formative years, Crosara is an example of the impact of mentorship–and, that what jazz teaches us are lessons we carry across life.

“[Fifth grade] is the key time where they have that passion for music, and from there, join the band and then make music part of their life,” says Crosara. “Hopefully jazz, but if it isn’t jazz, that is fine as long as they have this infusion of music.”

When he joined up with the non-profit in 2022, he was tasked with organizing the West Puget Sound edition of Make Music Day, an annual event featuring hundreds of free concerts for amateur and semi-professional musicians.

“It’s really fun,” says Crosara, “because what you see is a combination of all ages, all races, all genders, and all genres of music…. To perform and do outreach — it all intertwines.”

Francesco Crosara Trio – Ellington Tribute at Cellar Cat

CELLAR CAT, May 18th, 2025, 5:30 to 7:30 PM

FRANCESCO CROSARA TRIO: ELLINGTON TRIBUTE – Francesco Crosara, piano, Phil Sparks, bass, Craig Cootsona, drums

A Timeless Tribute: Jazz Piano Trio Honors Duke Ellington’s Legacy in a Special Performance

A celebration of jazz royalty is set to take the stage at the Cellar Cat as an exceptional jazz piano trio pays tribute to the legendary Duke Ellington. With swing, sophistication, and soul, this special performance will highlight Ellington’s rich musical legacy, bringing his timeless compositions to life in a new and exciting way.

The trio—featuring Francesco Crosara on piano, Phil Sparks on bass, and Craig Cootsona on drums — will showcase Ellington’s iconic works, from the moody tones of Mood Indigo, to the quiet introspection of I Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good to the velvety harmonies of Sophisticated Lady, to the electrifying pulse of Take the ‘A’ Train and the exotic rhythms of Caravan.

Known for their deep reverence for the jazz tradition and an innovative approach to performance, the musicians promise a performance that bridges nostalgia and fresh interpretations.

“Duke Ellington’s music is not just history—it’s alive. It swings, it sings, and it still speaks to us today” says Crosara, the trio’s leader. “We want to honor Ellington’s genius, as well as Billy Strayhorn’s, while adding our own voice to their masterpieces.”

The tribute concert will be held at the Cellar Cat in Kingston on Sunday, May 18^th at 5:30PM, inviting jazz lovers, music aficionados, and newcomers alike to experience the magic of Ellington’s compositions in an intimate and welcoming setting.

Graphic and photos by Julia Wright Crosara

Francesco Crosara & Jovino Santos Neto – Piano Duet…

STAGE 7 PIANOS, April 12th, 2025

PIANO DUET: Francesco Crosara & Jovino Santos Neto

Stage 7 Pianos in Kirkland is proud to announce a special duet performance by jazz pianists Francesco Crosara and Jovino Santos Neto. The duo will present an eclectic program of original compositions and jazz & Latin standards revisited in their respective creative styles. Expect both lyrical and exuberant music.

About the musicians

Francesco Crosara is a Seattle based Italian jazz pianist, composer and educator performing in a variety of formations. Crosara’s original music melds an impressive mix of jazz improvisation, a romantic vein from his classical Conservatory training in Rome, bouncy lyrical expression along with strong Latin influences. His main jazz piano influences are Chick Corea, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Herbie Hancock.

Since 2017, the Pacific Northwest can claim Crosara’s talents, too. He was featured on National Public Radio performing at the 2024 KNKX 88.5 FM Studio Session series. Crosara’s trio was selected to perform at the 2021 Earshot Jazz Festival in Seattle, and his creations were featured in the trend-setting series Earshot Jazz: The Second Century (2019 and 2020) for their bold and innovative music composition and video editing work. Equally adept with acoustic and electric jazz concepts, Crosara routinely headlines trios and quartets with the area top musicians.

Crosara has produced 7 jazz albums internationally over the last three decades ranging from straight-ahead to jazz fusion, Latin and World music. His latest CD project, “Circular Motion”, released in 2024 by Origin/OA2 Records, was nominated for NW Recording of the Year at the Golden Ear Awards in Seattle, WA. Crosara’s 2000 album “Colors”, featuring guest artist, Chicago tenor sax legend Von Freeman, received 4 stars from Down Beat magazine.

__________________

Three-time Latin Grammy nominee Jovino Santos Neto, a master pianist, composer and arranger, is one of the most important Brazilian musicians working today. Currently based in Seattle, Washington, he has throughout his career been closely affiliated with the Brazilian master Hermeto Pascoal. He was an integral part of Pascoal’s group from 1977 to1992, where he fine-tuned his artistry, performing around the world and co-producing several legendary records.

Jovino’s personal style is a creative blend of energetic grooves, deep harmonies, telepathic improvisation, lyrical melodies and great ensemble playing, always inspired and informed by the colorful richness of Brazilian music. His compositions include samba, choro, baião, xote, forró, marcha and many more styles, rooted in centuries-old musical tradition while pointing to new and adventurous harmonic languages.

Currently, Jovino leads his Seattle-based Quinteto and Trio. He taught piano and composition at Cornish College of the Arts for 26 years. He can also be heard around the world as a piano soloist, working with symphony orchestras, jazz big bands, chamber music groups, and in collaboration with musicians such as his mentor Hermeto Pascoal, Bill Frisell, Paquito d’Rivera, Airto Moreira, Claudio Roditi, David Sanchez, Joe Locke, Anat Cohen and many more.

Jovino’s compositions have been performed by the Seattle Symphony, NDR Big Band in Hamburg, Swiss Jazz Orchestra and by numerous jazz and chamber music groups. Jovino gives lectures, clinics and master classes worldwide on a variety of musical topics, including the connection between Music and Nature.

Graphic and photos by Julia Wright Crosara

Francesco Crosara Quartet at Jazz Center of Bellingham

THE JAZZ CENTER OF BELLINGHAM: April 9th, 2025

FRANCESCO CROSARA QUARTET: Francesco Crosara, piano, Alexey Nikolaev, saxophones, Farko Dosumov, bass, D’Vonne Lewis, drums.

Francesco Crosara is a Seattle based Italian jazz pianist, composer and educator performing in a variety of formations. Crosara’s original music melds an impressive mix of jazz improvisation, a romantic vein from his classical Conservatory training in Rome, bouncy lyrical expression along with strong Latin influences. His main jazz piano influences are Chick Corea, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Herbie Hancock.

Crosara’s latest CD project, “Circular Motion”, released in 2024 by Origin/OA2 Records, features all original material including fresh interpretations of some of his earlier repertoire, which was composed over a period of 40 years. Crosara has produced 6 additional international jazz albums over the last three decades ranging from straight-ahead to fusion and Latin, and featuring guest artist, Chicago tenor sax legend Von Freeman, plus Lilian Terry, Dave Marr, Rusty Jones, Paulinho Garcia, Dean Taba, Noel Okimoto, Yasushi Gonjo, Larry Marshall, Miles Jackson, Eric Kurtz, and more. Crosara’s 2000 album “Colors” received 4 stars from Down Beat magazine.

Graphics and photos by Julia Wright Crosara

Francesco Crosara Solo Piano – Crosara Plays Gerswhin at…

CELLAR CAT: March 23, 2025

CROSARA PLAYS GERSWHIN – Francesco Crosara Solo Piano

“I have chosen to put together the “Crosara plays Gerswhin” piano solo event at the Cellar Cat for three main reasons: 1) I truly enjoy playing solo piano as it allows me total control of the creative process, 2) The Cellar Cat is an ideal venue for a more intimate and introspective performance, 3) By presenting the music of George Gerswhin, I have a vast repertoire of iconic jazz and blues standards to choose from. Gershwin’s melodies capture deep emotion while being accessible and have become timeless classics. As a jazz pianist, my goal is to add my own personal touch to every piece, making it uniquely mine. Expect reinterpretation and improvisation.” ~ Francesco Crosara

ABOUT FRANCESCO

Crosara also serves as President on the Board of Directors of the Music Discovery Center (MDC), a non-profit organization based in Bremerton, WA, dedicated to creating an inclusive space for community members to experience, explore, and contribute to the world of music through education, performance, and mentorship.

Graphics and photos by Julia Wright Crosara

Francesco Crosara Quartet at Traditions Olympia

TRADITIONS THE GATHERING PLACE: March 8th, 2025

FRANCESCO CROSARA QUARTET: Francesco Crosara, piano, Alexey Nikolaev, saxophones, Clipper Anderson, bass, Mark Ivester, drums

Traditions, The Gathering Place is proud to host for the first time the Francesco Crosara Quartet. Jazz pianist & composer Crosara will be leading an all-star lineup with Alexey Nikolaev on saxophones, Clipper Anderson on bass, and Mark Ivester on drums. The quartet will explore musical concepts based on improvisation, original compositions from Crosara’s latest acclaimed CD “Circular Motion”, and will take the listener on a musical journey around the world. Expect lyrical and energetic music.

FRANCESCO CROSARA

Francesco Crosara is a Seattle-based Italian jazz pianist, composer and educator performing in a variety of formations. Crosara’s original music melds an impressive mix of jazz improvisation, a romantic vein from his classical Conservatory training in Rome, bouncy lyrical expression along with strong Latin influences. His main jazz piano influences are Chick Corea, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Herbie Hancock.

“A pianist who originally hails from Italy, Crosara is well-versed in bop lore, and his delicate flow might indicate a debt to Bill Evans.” – Down Beat Magazine

ALEXEY NIKOLAEV

Since 2000, Alexey lives and works in Seattle. He performs with groups, Axiom Quartet, Greg Williamson Quartet (Ponyboy Records), Jay Thomas Big Band, Emerald City Big Band, and is a member and saxophonist soloist of Doctor Funk Band (Strokeland Records).

As a recording artist, Alexey performs and records with musicians like pianists John Hansen, Mark Seals, John Sanders, Bill Anchell, Randy Halberstadt, Tony Foster; vocalists Greta Matassa, Dee Daniels, Jackie Davis, Karen Shivers, Kelley Johnson, Kelly Eisenhour, Martin Ross; trumpeters Jay Thomas, Tom Marriott, Vern Sielert, Jim Sisco Andy Omdahl, Steve Mostovoy; trombonists Dave Marriott, Dan Marcus, Gary Shutes; saxophonist Bill Ramsey, bassists Jon Hamar, Doug Miller, Clipper Anderson, Douglas Barnett, Chuck Kistler, Paul Gabrielson, Chris Symer, Jim Cliff; drummers Greg Williamson, Brad Boal, Garey Williams, Hose Martinez, Adam Kessler, Matt Jorgensen and many many more.

CLIPPER ANDERSON

Clipper Anderson is a bassist, composer, studio musician, performer, vocalist and educator. He plays at jazz festivals throughout the Unites States and Canada and has appeared on numerous recordings.

Clipper has worked with some of the biggest names in contemporary jazz including Michael Brecker, Arturo Sandoval and Buddy De Franco. Clipper is an annual guest artist at the Buddy DeFranco / University of Montana Jazz Festival and the Blaine Jazz Festival. He is currently on the jazz faculty at Pacific Lutheran University.

MARK IVESTER

Mark Ivester is a consummate drummer, widely respected for his sensitive musicianship and sincere dedication to his craft. He is experienced in many different idioms from pop-rock to big band to jazz, latin jazz and orchestral settings. Ivester’s live performance credits are extensive, having worked with such jazz luminaries as John Patitucci, Larry Coryell, Freddy Hubbard, Mal Waldron, Diane Schuur, Eliane Elias, Bud Shank, Howard Roberts, Jack Sheldon, Michael Brecker, Charlie Byrd, Barney Kessel, Frank Foster, Bob Mintzer, Randy Brecker, Tierney Sutton, Ann Hampton-Calloway, Karyn Allison and Mose Allison.

Mark’s versatility is demonstrated on a wide range of recordings such as film scores, jingles and album projects including those of R&B artist Philip Bailey of Earth Wind and Fire, Grammy award winning new-age duo Tingstad and Rumbel, Brazilian keyboardist Jovino Santos Neto and vocalist Greta Matassa. Mark is currently on the faculty of Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA.

Graphics and photos by Julia Wright Crosara

Francesco Crosara Quartet at Jazz on J Street

IMMANUEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: JAZZ ON J STREET, February 15th, 2025

FRANCESCO CROSARA QUARTET

Pianist Francesco Crosara is originally from Italy but currently lives in the Pacific Northwest. His music is Jazz but incorporates European classical, world music and Latin influences. As is typical of most Jazz musicians he has a strong classical background. He is a graduate of the conservatory of music in Rome, Italy. This quartet is made up of some of the top professional Jazz musicians in the Pacific Northwest. Francesco Crosara has performed with such Jazz legends as Freddie Hubbard, Roy Hargrove, Lionel Hampton and Richie Cole.

Francesco Crosara-Acoustic Piano

Alexey Nikolaev-Saxophones

Clipper Anderson-Acoustic Bass

Steven Bentley-Drumset

The professional musicians are paid through your generous cash donations.

Immanuel Presbyterian Church is fully inclusive and only preaches love.

GOLDEN EAR AWARDS: “Circular Motion” Nominated for Recording Of…

EARSHOT JAZZ MAGAZINE – February 2024 issue

https://www.earshot.org/2025-02-2024-golden-ear-awards-ballot

Francesco Crosara’s “Circular Motion” album (Origin/OA2 Records) was nominated by Earshot Jazz Magazine readers for a Golden Ear Award in the NW Recording of the Year category.

Francesco Crosara Quartet at Seattle Jazz Fellowship

SEATTLE JAZZ FELLOWSHIP: January 30^{^th}, 2025

FRANCESCO CROSARA QUARTET: Francesco Crosara, piano, Alexey Nikolaev, saxophones, Clipper Anderson, bass, Mark Ivester, drums

Francesco Crosara, the Italian-born jazz pianist composer based in the Northwest, will perform at the Seattle Jazz Fellowship on January 30th with an all-star quartet, featuring saxophonist Alexey Nikolaev, bassist Clipper Anderson, and drummer Mark Ivester.

Crosara will present a program of all-original compositions, a tour de force of four decades of music writing as recorded on a number of albums, most notably the 2024 release of the critically acclaimed CIRCULAR MOTION (Origin/OA2 Records), and the 2000 release of COLORS (Southport Records) with special guest the late great Von Freeman.

“A pianist who originally hails from Italy, Crosara is well-versed in bop lore, and his delicate flow might indicate a debt to Bill Evans.” – Down Beat Magazine

Photos by Lisa Hagen-Glynn, Mark Harazim (BW), Julia Wright Crosara

Francesco Crosara & John Stowell – Jazz Duets at…

ZEN ARTS GROUP: January 18th, 2024, 7:30 to 9 PM

JAZZ DUETS: Francesco Crosara, keyboards, John Stowell, guitars

Zen Arts Group is proud to present a very special jazz and intimate performance. Jazz pianist & composer Francesco Crosara will appear in duet with internationally-renowned guitarist John Stowell. The duo will explore musical concepts based on improvisation, original compositions from Crosara’s latest CD “Circular Motion”, and select jazz and Brazilian standards. Expect lyrical and introspective music.

FRANCESCO CROSARA

“A pianist who originally hails from Italy, Crosara is well-versed in bop lore, and his delicate flow might indicate a debt to Bill Evans.” – Down Beat Magazine

JOHN STOWELL

John Stowell began his successful career in the early 1970’s with private study with guitarist Linc Chamberland and pianist John Mehegan. Both men were valuable mentors to John, allowing him to play with them as he progressed in his development. Several years later he met bassist David Friesen in New York City, and they formed a duo that recorded and toured prolifically for seven years, with performances in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia.

In 1983, Stowell and Friesen joined flutist Paul Horn and Paul’s son Robin Horn (on drums) for a historic tour of the Soviet Union. This was the first time in forty years that an American jazz group had been invited to play public performances in Russia. In 1993, 1995, 1998 and 2012 John returned to Russia, playing in numerous cities. His two sold-out performances in Kursk may have been the first appearances there by an American jazz musician.

Stowell continues to tour, record and teach internationally. He has been Artist-In-Residence at schools in Germany, Indonesia, Argentina, and in the United States and Canada. He served as assistant director and performer in Oregon Public Broadcasting’s PDX Jazz Summit in 1991, and since 1995 has been a contributing columnist for a number of magazines, including “Downbeat”, “Guitar Player”, “Canadian Musician”, “Soundcheck” (Germany), and “Guitar Club” (Italy).

Photo by Angie Mitchell

John Stowell & Francesco Crosara – Jazz Duets at…

OTT & HUNTER WINERY: January 11th, 2025

JAZZ DUETS: John Stowell, guitars, Francesco Crosara, keyboards

Internationally-renowned Jazz guitarist John Stowell will appear in a special duet with pianist & composer Francesco Crosara . The duo will explore musical concepts based on improvisation, original compositions, and select jazz standards. Expect lyrical and introspective music.

JOHN STOWELL

In 1983, John and David joined flutist Paul Horn and Paul’s son Robin Horn (on drums) for a historic tour of the Soviet Union. This was the first time in forty years that an American jazz group had been invited to play public performances in Russia. In 1993, 1995, 1998 and 2012 John returned to Russia, playing in numerous cities. His two sold-out performances in Kursk may have been the first appearances there by an American jazz musician.

John continues to tour, record and teach internationally. He has been Artist-In-Residence at schools in Germany, Indonesia, Argentina, and in the United States and Canada. He served as assistant director and performer in Oregon Public Broadcasting’s PDX Jazz Summit in 1991, and since 1995 has been a contributing columnist for a number of magazines, including “Downbeat”, “Guitar Player”, “Canadian Musician”, “Soundcheck” (Germany), and “Guitar Club” (Italy).

FRANCESCO CROSARA

Originally from Milan, Italy, Francesco Crosara’s music melds an impressive mix of jazz improvisation, a romantic vein from his classical training, along with Latin influences. Francesco stands among the European-bred jazz greats, performing over the years with the likes of Lionel Hampton, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Hargrove, Richie Cole, Lilian Terry, and more. His recordings have featured a multicultural and international array of musicians.

Since 2017, the Northwest can claim his talents, too, as he’s demonstrated an eagerness to contribute to the local scene. Francesco was selected to perform at the 2021 Earshot Jazz Festival in Seattle and has been featured two years in a row in the trend-setting Earshot Jazz: The Second Century series for his bold and innovative music composition and video work. In Seattle he routinely collaborates with local stalwarts like Nathan Breedlove, Clipper Anderson, Mark Ivester, D’Vonne Lewis, Jeff Busch, Osama Afifi, Farko Dosumov, and more.

“A pianist who originally hails from Italy, Crosara is well-versed in bop lore, and his delicate flow might indicate a debt to Bill Evans.” – Down Beat Magazine

“Crosaras compositions are considerate of their audience, providing a source of joy, comfort, escape, and healing. Crosara believes jazz is a collective experience and a living language that distills a multitude of identities, backgrounds, and personalities.” – Earshot Jazz

Graphics and photos by Julia Wright Crosara

Francesco Crosara Quartet with John Bishop, Alexey Nikolaev, Farko…

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND MUSEUM OF ART (BIMA)

SNOWGLOBE WINTER MUSIC SERIES: December 13th, 2024

FRANCESCO CROSARA QUARTET: Francesco Crosara, piano, John Bishop, drums, Alexey Nikolaev, saxophones, Farko Dosumov, bass

Francesco Crosara, is a Seattle-based, Italian-born jazz pianist and composer who is making a significant impact on the regional jazz scene with a passion for creating and sharing innovative and playful music. Crosara stands among the European-bred jazz greats, performing over the years with the likes of Lionel Hampton, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Hargrove, Richie Cole, Bobby Shew, Ira Sullivan, Don Menza, Von Freeman, John Heard, Gabe Baltazar, Bruce Forman, Barbara Morrison, Earl Palmer, Lilian Terry, and more.

SnowGlobe Design courtesy of BIMA. Band graphic and photos by Julia Wright Crosara.

Francesco Crosara Trio at Cellar Cat

Pianist Francesco Crosara returns to Cellar Cat, this time featuring a highly dynamic trio with Tacoma-based jazz dynamo Osama Afifi on bass, and Seattle-based rhythmic powerhouse Max Holmberg on drums.

Once again Francesco graces The Cat with a variety of extraordinary guest performers. With jazz, like in life, we never cross the same stream twice. The opportunity to hear such high level talent in musical never-the-same-twice collaboration at a venue as intimate as Cellar Cat is a rare treat indeed. Get your tickets before they sell out – Francesco Crosara brings something new with each performance.

Coming off the release of his latest, highly lauded recording Circular Motion (available for sale online and at Cellar Cat), Francesco will feature original music from the CD and cool arrangements of jazz standards. Expect lyrical, dynamic and exuberant music.

Graphics and photos by Julia Wright Crosara

Francesco Crosara Trio with Special Guest Gail Pettis at…

BAINBRIDGE COMMUNITY PIANO ASSOCIATION PRESENTS:

FIRST SUNDAYS CONCERTS, November 3^rd, 2024 at 4:00 pm

FRANCESCO CROSARA TRIO, WITH SPECIAL GUEST GAIL PETTIS: FRANCESCO CROSARA (piano), CLIPPER ANDERSON (bass), MARK IVESTER (drums). Special guest: GAIL PETTIS (vocals).

A Bainbridge Island favorite, jazz pianist & composer Francesco Crosara returns to the concert series with his vibrant trio, featuring bassist Clipper Anderson and drummer Mark Ivester. Guest star for the evening is vocalist Gail Pettis, nominated “2010 Northwest Vocalist of the Year” by the Earshot Jazz Society. The group will present original compositions and choice jazz standards rearranged in Crosara’s own lyrical and exuberant style.

Concert presented by the Bainbridge Community Piano Association as part of the First Sundays Concerts series. (www.firstsundaysconcerts.org)

ABOUT THE MUSICIANS

FRANCESCO CROSARA: Originally from Milan, Italy, Crosara’s music melds an impressive mix of jazz improvisation, a romantic vein from his classical training, along with Latin influences. Crosara stands among the European-bred jazz greats, performing over the years with the likes of Lionel Hampton, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Hargrove, Richie Cole, Bobby Shew, Ira Sullivan, Don Menza, Von Freeman, John Heard, Gabe Baltazar, Mayuto Correa, Bruce Forman, Barbara Morrison, Earl Palmer, Lilian Terry, and more. His recordings have featured a multicultural and international array of musicians. He has performed at festivals and venues across the USA, Japan, Canada, Mexico, France, Spain, and Italy.

Since 2017, the Pacific Northwest can claim Crosara’s talents, too, as he’s demonstrated an eagerness to contribute to the local scene. Francesco was selected to perform at the 2021 Earshot Jazz Festival in Seattle and has been featured two years in a row in the trend-setting Earshot Jazz: The Second Century series for his bold and innovative music composition and video editing work. Equally adept with acoustic and electric jazz concepts, Crosara routinely headlines trios and quartets with the area top musicians.

GAIL PETTIS: Named ” 2010 Northwest Vocalist of the Year,” by Earshot Jazz Society, (also 2007), Gail’s rich, warm vocals and understated phrasing have been described as “deliciously soulful” by Cadence Magazine.

Gail’s live performances have been described by Earshot jazz as going “…from strength to strength, performing a winning, crowd-involving style of vocal jazz.”. As artist-in-residence at the Amersfoort Jazz Festival in the Netherlands in 2006, she was featured artist with the New Manhattan Big Band, also Eddie Conard and the Dutch Jazz Cats on the mainstage and smaller combs in venues in Amersfoort and Harderwijk. Included on this tour was a stop in Kobe, Japan to perform as a guest artist at KAVC Hall as First Place winner of the Seattle-Kobe Female Jazz Vocalist Audition. She has also performed at the Gene Harris Jazz Festival in Boise, Idaho, Jazz at the River Festival in Eagle, ID. Most recently, Gail completed Russian tours in the spring of 2015, performing in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Ufa, Ivanova and Perm and returning in the summer for a tour anchored by the White Nights Jazz Festival.

CLIPPER ANDERSON is a bassist, composer, studio musician, performer, vocalist and educator. He plays at jazz festivals throughout the Unites States and Canada and has appeared on numerous recordings. Clipper has worked with some of the biggest names in contemporary jazz including Michael Brecker, Arturo Sandoval and Buddy De Franco. Clipper is an annual guest artist at the Buddy DeFranco / University of Montana Jazz Festival and the Blaine Jazz Festival. He is currently on the jazz faculty at Pacific Lutheran University.

MARK IVESTER is a versatile drummer and percussionist who is currently on the faculty at Pacific Lutheran University. Mark has performed with numerous jazz artists of international stature including Larry Coryell, Freddie Hubbard, Diane Schuur, Mose Allison, Charlie Byrd and Eartha Kitt. He has also performed with the Honolulu, Spokane and Walla Walla symphony orchestras. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Eastern Washington University and did undergraduate and graduate work in ethnomusicology at the University of Hawaii that included field study in gamelan music on the island of Java.

Graphics and photography by Julia Wright Crosara

Return to Chick Corea Band at Frederick Holmes Art…

FREDERICK HOLMES ART GALLERY PRESENTS: HOT JAZZ AT THE GALLERY, October 19th, 2024

FRANCESCO CROSARA QUARTET: RETURN TO CHICK COREA: Francesco Crosara, keyboards, Brian Monroney, guitars, Bruce Phares, bass, Mark Ivester, drums

RETURN TO CHICK COREA is a quartet-based musical tribute to the great jazz composer, enhanced with additional original compositions by pianist & composer Francesco Crosara created in the characteristic Spanish-infused style of Corea.

The RETURN TO CHICK COREA band was formed as a concept exchange between bassist Bruce Phares and pianist Francesco Crosara. A spirited conversation after an engaging duet performance led to the initial idea of a concert of all-Chick-Corea compositions, a natural for Crosara’s Corea-influenced keyboard virtuosity, as well as Phares’ style of bass playing. After a pilot performance, Crosara, Phares, and sax-wizard Alexey Nikolaev solidified the concept into the current “Return to Chick Corea” group with the great Mark Ivester on drums. The most recent incarnation of the band brings in guitar virtuoso Brian Monroney. The repertoire spans freely through Corea’s 5 decades of music interspersed with original compositions by Crosara written in the style of the maestro and recently released in the acclaimed album “Circular Motion”

ABOUT THE MUSICIANS

FRANCESCO CROSARA

“A pianist who originally hails from Italy, Crosara is well-versed in bop lore, and his delicate flow might indicate a debt to Bill Evans.” – Down Beat Magazine

BRIAN MONRONEY

During over three decades as a busy sideman and session musician, guitarist Brian Monroney has performed or recorded with artists including Gloria Estefan, Natalie Cole, Barry Manilow and Tom Jones (Brian toured as Sir Tom’s guitarist and Musical Director for nearly 18 years).

In addition to performing and session work, Brian works as an arranger, music copyist, and guitar teacher. Currently a resident of Tacoma, Brian has performed with a number of notable PNW artists and bands including Lee Oskar, Nearly Dan, Greta Matassa, Bill Anschell and Teatro ZinZanni.

BRUCE PHARES

Originally classically trained, after his “apprentice” time of studies after high school, Bruce Phares landed the bass chair in the celebrated Overton Berry Ensemble, which began a 40+ year deep friendship with Berry. Phares’ approach to bass playing landed him appearances with many NW region legends such as Ernestine Anderson, Jabo Ward, Floyd Standifer, Eddie Creed, Bob Nixon, Woody Woodhouse, to name a few. He also served as a rotating sideman for many national and international artists such greats as George Cables, Sir Roland Hannah, Frank Wess, Mark Murphy, Stanley Cowell, Larry Coryell, Bruce Forman, etc.

In the last 10 years, Phares has focused on leading various groupings, rejoining with old friends John Stowell, Jay Thomas, and John Bishop in his “Reunion Quartet” performances, as well as leading other groupings, with various NW luminaries such as Marc Seales, Randy Halberstadt, Bill Anschell, Hans Teuber, Jeremy Bacon, Alexy Nikolaev, Brian Monroney, etc. Phares also heads up a duet concert series on Vashon Island, “The Jam In The Atrium”, playing to packed audiences at The Vashon Center For The Arts atrium.

MARK IVESTER

Graphics by Julia Wright Crosara. Photos by Julia Wright Crosara and Anto Ferrante

Francesco Crosara & Ben Thomas Piano & Vibes Duet…

CELLAR CAT, October 6th, 2024

PIANO / VIBES DUET: Francesco Crosara, piano, Ben Thomas, vibes

The Cellar Cat is proud to present a special jazz duet performance by pianist & composer Francesco Crosara and vibraphonist Ben Thomas. The duo will explore musical concepts based on improvisation, original compositions, and select jazz standards. Expect lyrical, exuberant and introspective music.

FRANCESCO CROSARA

Since 2017, the Pacific Northwest can claim Crosara’s talents, too. His acoustic trio was selected to perform at the 2021 Earshot Jazz Festival in Seattle, and Crosara’s creations were featured in the trend-setting series Earshot Jazz: The Second Century (2019 and 2020) for their bold and innovative music composition and video editing work. Equally adept with acoustic and electric jazz concepts, Crosara routinely headlines trios and quartets with the area top musicians.

“A pianist who originally hails from Italy, Crosara is well-versed in bop lore, and his delicate flow might indicate a debt to Bill Evans.” – Down Beat Magazine

BEN THOMAS

Dr. Ben Thomas is one of the most in-demand vibists in the Pacific Northwest. Known for combining virtuosic technique with flowing lyricism, Thomas’s music spans from pyrotechnic improvisations to delicate soundscapes.

In addition to leading jazz and tango ensembles, he performs as a sideman on mallets, percussion, and bandoneon with a wide variety of groups throughout the United States, including the Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto and the Atlas Tango Project. He currently has five albums of original compositions available on Origin Records: “Triskaidekaphobia”, “The Mystagogue”, “The Madman’s Difference”, “Yet What Is Any Ocean…”, and “Eternal Aporia”.

Thomas completed his Doctor of Musical Art in Percussion Performance at the University of Washington in 2007. His dissertation was on the development of Cal Tjader’s early Latin Jazz vibraphone style. Thomas received his Master of Music with Honors in Improvisation from the University of Michigan in 1994. While in graduate school, he directed the University of Michigan’s Jazz Composers Orchestra and worked with composer Stephen Rush. Thomas also graduated from Swarthmore College, where he majored in mathematics and music.

Over the years, Thomas has performed at the Stowe Tango Music Festival, Ballard Jazz Festival, Earshot Jazz Festival, Detroit-Montreaux Jazz Festival, Bumbershoot Arts Festival, Issaquah Jazz Festival, Anacortes Arts Festival, Ellensburg Jazz in the Valley Festival, Tacoma Maritime Festival, Bellingham Art of Jazz Series, and the Juneau Jazz and Classics Festival.

As a composer, Thomas has written for chamber groups, big bands, jazz combos, dance and theater. Thomas is currently chair of the Music Department at Highline College, where he teaches music theory, composition, and performance.

“Ben is a great composer, and an energetic performer who knows how deep music can go. It’s always fun to play with him.” – Jovino Santos Neto

Graphics by Julia Wright Crosara. Photos by Mike Lempriere and Julia Wright Crosara

KNKX 88.5FM: Francesco Crosara Quartet Studio Session (NPR)

YouTube player — Click on the image to view the video of the entire performance

Francesco Crosara celebrates new album and community in the KNKX studios

August 21st, 2024

https://www.knkx.org/studiosessions/2024-08-21/francesco-crosara-celebrates-new-album-influenced-by-knkx-studios

By Abe Beeson

Pianist and composer Francesco Crosara led a quartet of top-tier Northwest musicians in the KNKX studios, celebrating a new album with the Italian native’s new Northwest friends.

Crosara was raised in Rome, Italy, by a mother whose broadcasting connections and love of jazz brought legends like Dizzy Gillespie, Chick Corea, Duke Ellington and more who inspired the budding musician.

“I had the pleasure to basically see and interact with these giants at the kitchen table,” Crosara said.

His musical talent was further developed at USC in Los Angeles, and he later moved on to the Midwest and Hawaii before landing in Poulsbo, Washington, in 2017.

Crosara joined the Music Discovery Center, a non-profit in Bremerton focused on music education and support in the Western Puget Sound. He was excited to help underserved music lovers of the Kitsap Peninsula and to have opportunities to play with young music students, saying, “I’m not hoity-toity.”

The new album Circular Motion collects 40 years of Crosara’s compositions, from new songs like the jazz fusion of “One Day Honey, One Day Onions” to songs that he’s updated.

“I certainly was not happy with the way that 21-year-old Francesco wrote a samba. It was a little immature,” he said.

Over his life as a composer, Crosara has written music influenced by his many travels. Circular Motion visits Argentina with “Julia’s Tango” and Japan with “Kurama,” as well as the Middle Eastern sound of “Maktoub” and a Spanish tinge of “Preludio Flamenco.”

Circular Motion also circles through three different sets of the Puget Sound area’s best bass players and drummers.

The elder statesmen Clipper Anderson and Mark Ivester form what Crosara said is his “acoustic group,” while the popular Farko Dosumov and D’Vonne Lewis make up his “fusion trio.”

Finally, Crosara’s “world trio” features Osama Afifi and Xavier LeCouturier, the youngest of the groups.

In this exclusive performance in the KNKX studios, Crosara was joined by Dosumov, Lewis, and saxophonist Alexey Nikolaev. Crosara even lamented, half-joking, “Had I met him (before he recorded Circular Motion), I would have said, let’s do a quartet!”

Extended versions of three great tunes from Crosara’s new album show that his music is constantly changing, always connected to the moment he shares with his fellow musicians and audience.

Look for Crosara’s terrific trio album andthe talented pianist in a variety of musical settings around Western Washington – including the hungry jazz fans away from the city lights.

Musicians:

Francesco Crosara – piano, keyboards
Alexey Nikolaev – saxophones
Farko Dosumov – bass
D’Vonne Lewis – drums

Songs:

Preludio Flamenco
Julia’s Tango
One Day Honey, One Day Onions

Photography by Julia Wright Crosara

[Show slideshow]

Francesco Crosara Trio with Special Guest Dmitri Matheny at…

Join us on July 21st, 2024, at the Cellar Cat Wine Bar and Jazz club in Kingston for the Francesco Crosara Quartet, featuring an all-star group, with Francesco Crosara and piano, Dmitri Matheny on flugelhorn, Clipper Anderson on bass and Mark Ivester on drums. Experience an evening of cool jazz of the highest level to beat the summer heat.

Photo by Mike Lempriere

LAKE CHELAN JAZZ FESTIVAL: Francesco Crosara Quartet with Alexey…

LAKE CHELAN JAZZ FESTIVAL, July 17-18th, 2024

Festival highlights

Over 35 performances at 10 wineries and venues throughout the Lake Chelan Wine Valley over 4 days.
Award-winning wines served at every performance venue
“Weatherproofed” weekend outdoor venues.
Specials and discounts for ticket holders are offered by local businesses, eateries, and wineries around the lake.
Net proceeds from festival ticket sales benefit local Chelan and Manson school music programs.

Photos by Julia Wright Crosara

Francesco Crosara Quartet with Special Guest Kareem Kandi at…

Francesco Crosara quartet returns to Cellar Cat on June 30th, 2024, this time featuring Tacoma saxophonist Kareem Kandi! Coming off the reslease of his latest, highly lauded recording Circular Motion (available for sale online and at Cellar Cat), Francesco again graces The Cat with a variety of extraordinary guest performers, this time jazz dynamo Kareem Kandi. With jazz, like in life, we never cross the same stream twice. The opportunity to hear such high level talent in musical never-the-same-twice collaboration at a venue as intimate as Cellar Cat is a rare treat indeed. Get your tickets before they sell out – Francesco Crosara brings something new with each performance.

Graphics by Julia Wright Crosara. Photos by Mike Lempriere and Julia Wright Crosara.

TAPESTRY: Francesco Crosara with Gail Pettis & John Stowell…

TAPESTRY: FRANCESCO CROSARA (piano), GAIL PETTIS (vocals), JOHN STOWELL (guitar)

The Cellar Cat is proud to present the premiere of TAPESTRY, an intimate Jazz performance which brings together 3 distinct musical talents, highlights the diversity of each artist’s individual music approach, coming together in different combinations (trio, duet, solo) and weaving their music styles to create something unique and inspiring. The trio will present original compositions and select standards arrangements.

ABOUT THE MUSICIANS

JOHN STOWELL: began his successful career in the early 1970’s with private study with guitarist Linc Chamberland and pianist John Mehegan. Both men were valuable mentors to John, allowing him to play with them as he progressed in his development. Several years later he met bassist David Friesen in New York City, and they formed a duo that recorded and toured prolifically for seven years, with performances in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia.

Graphics and photos by Julia Wright Crosara