Francesco Crosara, piano Jay Thomas, trumpet & saxophone Phil Sparks, bass Milo Petersen, drums
Italian-born jazz pianist Francesco Crosara will appear at Seattle Jazz Vespers with an All-Star Quartet, featuring Seattle luminaries Jay Thomas on trumpet, sax, flute, Phil Sparks on bass, and Milo Petersen on drums.
Originally from Milan, 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.
“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
“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
FRANCESCO CROSARA (piano) BRUCE PHARES (bass) ALEXEY NIKOLAEV (soprano & tenor saxophone)
Saturday, March 25th, 2023
Jazz legend Chick Corea’s compositions will be the focus of this Saturday’s Jam In The Atrium at the VCA, with Francesco Crosara and Alexey Nikolaev joining host/bassist Bruce Phares, who will be guiding conversations among the trio regarding Corea’s stylings, as well as brief discussions of the individual songs as well.
Jazz pianist, composer & educator Crosara was a friend of Mr. Corea as well as a student and devotee of Corea’s unique and lyrical stylings. Originally from Milan, he blends into his performances an impressive mix of jazz improvisation, along with a romantic classical vein, mixed with Latin influences. Major piano influences are Chick Corea, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Herbie Hancock. Having performed over the years with the likes of Lionel Hampton, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Hargrove, Richie Cole, Bobby Shew, Ira Sullivan, Bruce Forman, and more!
Saxophonist Alexey Nikolaev, originally from Moscow, whose extensive jazz festival appearances include Montreux Jazz Festival, Black Sea Jazz Festival, Toronto Jazz FestivalIAJE / New York, Centrum Jazz Festival, Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival Earshot Jazz Festival, San Francisco Balboa Jazz Festival, and many more throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia now makes Seattle his home base. He has performed with vocalists Bobby Caldwell, The New York Voices, Lary Braggs, Lenny Williams, Greta Matassa, Dee Daniels, saxophonists Dave Liebman, Tom Scott, Maseo Parker, trumpeters Winton Marsalis, John Faddis, Randy Brecker, Greg Adams, guitarist John Pizzarelli, bassists Ray Brown, John Clayton and his All Stars Big Band, drummers Jeff Hamilton, Butch Myles, and vibraphonist Joe Locke, Tower of Power.
Host and jazz bassist Bruce Phares will start the show at 1:00 PM, bringing his “Deconstructng Jazz” Q&A’s with both the artists as well as the audience. JAM performances are made possible by underwriting by JR Crawford w/ Windermere RE. Join our group to stay informed as to upcoming artists:
Bainbridge Island Museum of Art: Francesco Crosara Trio with Special Guest Gail Pettis
FRANCESCO CROSARA TRIO, featuring FRANCESCO CROSARA (piano), CLIPPER ANDERSON (bass), MARK IVESTER (drums). Special guest: GAIL PETTIS.
The Bainbridge Island Museum of Art is delighted to welcome back renowned jazz pianist Francesco Crosara, accompanied by Clipper Anderson on bass, Mark Ivester on drums, and special guest Gail Pettis on vocals. Crosara will present original compositions and choice standards rearranged in his own lyrical and exuberant style. Concert presented by the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art as part of the Snow Globe Winter Music series. (www.biartmuseum.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.
Olalla Winery: Francesco Crosara Trio – Art Direction: Julia Crosara
Olalla Winery November 25th, 2022 – 6:30 to 8:30 PM
Francesco Crosara Trio Francesco Crosara, keyboards Farko Dosumov, bass Max Holmberg, drums
Join us at Olalla Winery for a lively evening surrounded by vineyards & jazz music. Jazz pianist FRANCESCO CROSARA will appear with an all-star trio featuring bassist Farko Dosumov and drummer Max Holmberg. The group will present original compositions inspired by jazz, classical and latin idioms, plus select jazz standards revisited.
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.
FARKO DOSUMOV
Farko Dosumov was born and raised in Uzbekistan. In 1999 Farko moved to New York City to pursue a future career in music. He later attended Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA, and specialized in jazz bass. Since then, he has played with many talented artists and groups such as Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder, Carlos Santana, Jonny Lang, Pura Fe, Flowmotion, and more.
MAX HOLMBERG
Max Holmberg is a Seattle based drummer, bandleader and educator. Berklee School of Music educated, Max Holmberg is a renowned drummer, bandleader, educator who has performed internationally and with notables like Wynton Marsalis, Joanne Brackeen, Eddie Gomez.
Francesco Crosara, piano Gail Pettis, vocals Clipper Anderson, bass Mark Ivester, drums
Immanuel Presbyterian Church: Francesco Crosara Trio with Guest Gail Pettis – Art Direction: Julia Crosara
Pianist composer Francesco Crosara will appear in trio accompanied by bassist Clipper Anderson and drummer Mark Ivester. Special guest appearance by vocalist Gail Pettis promises to make this a very special night of music. Crosara will present original compositions and choice standards rearranged in his own lyrical and exuberant style.
Concert presented by B Sharp Music Society as part of the Jazz on J Street series in collaboration with Immanuel Presbyterian Church. Every third Saturday from 7-9 pm. All ages event in beautiful surroundings. No cover – musicians are paid by passing the hat – please give generously.
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.
See the video: My One And Only Love, vocals & piano duet, Gail Pettis and Francesco Crosara.
Casa Mexico Keyport: Francesco Crosara Trio – Art Direction: Julia Crosara
Pianist composer Francesco Crosara will appear in trio at Casa Mexico in Keyport accompanied by bassist Osama Afifi and drummer Steven Bentley for an all-acoustic trio performance. Crosara will present original compositions and choice standards rearranged in his own lyrical and exuberant style.
Casa Mexico Keyport: Francesco Crosara Trio – Art Direction: Julia Crosara
Pianist composer Francesco Crosara will appear in trio at Casa Mexico in Keyport accompanied by bassist Osama Afifi and drummer Mark Ivester for an all-acoustic trio performance. Crosara will present original compositions and choice standards rearranged in his own lyrical and exuberant style.
The Art Farm: Francesco Crosara Trio – Art Direction: Julia Crosara
The Art Farm August 7th, 2022 – 2 to 5 PM
Francesco Crosara Trio Francesco Crosara, keyboards Farko Dosumov, bass Eric Eagle, drums
Join us for a lively afternoon surrounded by beautiful art & music. A free and all ages event. Rain or shine. Gallery exhibition – ‘PORTALS’
Jazz pianist FRANCESCO CROSARA will appear with an all-star trio featuring bassist Farko Dosumov and drummer Eric Eagle. The group will present original compositions inspired by jazz, classical and latin idioms, plus select jazz standards revisited.
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
FARKO DOSUMOV Farko Rustamovich Dosumov was born and raised in Uzbekistan. Farko and his identical twin brother, Feodor Dosumov, began playing the classical guitar when they were ten years old. By the time the Dosumov brothers were in high school, Farko was playing electric bass and Feodor was playing electric guitar in multiple projects throughout Tashkent. In 1999 Farko moved to New York City to pursue a future career in music. Farko later attended Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington, and specialized in jazz bass. Since then, he has played with many talented artists and groups such as Double Impact with his twin brother Feodor Dosumov, Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder, Carlos Santana, Jonny Lang, Pura Fe, Flowmotion, Jazzukha, Duende Libre and many more.
ERIC EAGLE Drummer Eric Eagle was born in Nashville, but was quickly transplanted to Redmond, WA where he grew up playing music in school and regional groups. He spent two years studying music at the University of Washington, and with encouragement from teacher/mentor Billy Hart, moved to New Jersey to attend the Jazz Studies program at William Paterson College under the tutelage of Horacee Arnold, John Riley, Rufus Reid, and Steve Turre. Eric has honed his craft performing and recording around the world with artists ranging from jazz (Julian Priester, Wayne Horvitz, Bill Frisell, Kenny Kirkland) to songwriters (Brandi Carlile, Jesse Sykes, Mark Pickerel, Amy Ray, Laura Veirs) to rock legends (The Kinks’ Ray Davies, The Band’s Robbie Robertson, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons), and has performed at esteemed venues in North America and Europe.
THE ART FARM
The Art Farm was established in 1998 as a place where all walks of life can share in meaningful and relevant creative educational experiences. The Art Farm offers arts-based educational experiences that encompass a variety of genres in DESIGN,ART & MUSIC at multiple levels and in array of mediums and methods. The Art Farm, 9321 NE State Hwy 104, Kingston, WA 98346 www.theartfarm.org
Casa Mexico Keyport: Francesco Crosara Trio – Art Direction: Julia Crosara
Pianist composer Francesco Crosara will appear in trio at Casa Mexico in Keyport accompanied by bassist Jon Green and drummer Milo Petersen for an all-acoustic trio performance. Crosara will present original compositions and choice standards rearranged in his own lyrical and exuberant style.
Francesco Crosara, Chrics Bickley, Milo Petersen, Jon Green
Casa Mexico Keyport: Francesco Crosara / John Stowell Duets – Art Direction: Julia Crosara
Casa Mexico Keyport July 29th, 2022 – 6 to 9 PM
Jazz Duets Francesco Crosara, piano & keyboards John Stowell, guitar
Jazz pianist & composer Francesco Crosara will appear in a special duet with internationally-renowned guitarist John Stowell. The duo will explore musical concepts based on improvisation, original compositions, and select jazz standards. Expect lyrical and introspective music.
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
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, 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).
