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.
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).
June 25th, 2022
Francesco Crosara, piano
Nathan Breedlove, trumpet
Phil Sparks, bass
Max Holmberg, drums
Jazz pianist & composer Francesco Crosara will appear at Rolling Bay Hall as part of the Weave Presents series for a special performance on June 25th with an all-star quartet featuring trumpeter Nathan Breedlove, bassist Phil Sparks, and drummer Max Holmberg.
The group will present original material, jazz standards revisited, and extemporaneous improvisations in a combination of formats that leverage the cultural heritage of the individual musicians and provide a unique experience for the public. Ranging from solo, to duets, to trios, and to the full quartet, the varied program promises eclectic, lyrical, and exuberant music.
“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
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.
NATHAN BREEDLOVE
Nathan Breedlove is a twice Grammy-nominated trumpeter from Memphis. He spent over 15 years on the road performing, recording and touring with major artists from Lionel Hampton to the Skatalites.
PHIL SPARKS
Phil Sparks is one of Seattle’s premiere bassists and has recorded and performed with numerous artists including Elvin Jones and many others. Phil is also a founding member of SRJO.
MAX HOLMBERG
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.
Based out of Rolling Bay Hall on Bainbridge Island, WEAVE Presents is a nonprofit performing arts and education organization that hosts international musicians, showcases our local independent arts community, and invites audiences to celebrate the multi-racial, multi-ethnic roots of American culture.
HOT JAZZ AT THE GALLERY Featuring The Francesco Crosara Quartet
May 7th, 2022
Francesco Crosara, piano
Milo Petersen, guitar
Farko Dosumov, bass
Mark Ivester, drums
Indulge In An Evening of Fantastic Jazz By World-Class Musicians, Phenomenal Contemporary & 20th Century Modern Artwork, and Premium Award-Winning Wines!
HOT JAZZ AT THE GALLERY is on a roll with top jazz performers from the region and throughout the country! Jazz pianist FRANCESCO CROSARA will appear with an all-star lineup featuring Guitarist, Milo Petersen; Bassist, Farko Dosumov; and Drummer, Mark Ivester. 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 Clipper Anderson, Mark Ivester, D’Vonne Lewis, Jeff Busch, Osama Afifi, Farko Dosumov, and more.
MILO PETERSEN
Making his home in Seattle, guitarist /drummer /composer /educator Milo Petersen has been active in the Pacific Northwest jazz community since the late 70’s. He has performed with Elvin Jones, Gary Steele, Ron Eschete, Julian Priester, Joe Sample, Ernestine Anderson, Herb Ellis, Nancy King, Cedar Walton, Mose Allison, Larry Coryell, Chip Jackson, Eliot Zigmund, Billy Hart and Phil Markowitz.
Milo has appeared on The Bob Hope Show, The Eartha Kitt show, the Broadway shows Ain’t Misbehavin’, Five Guy’s Named Moe, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, and performed with pop vocal groups The Coasters, The Drifters and The 5th Dimension. More recently, as guitarist with the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, Milo has shared stages with Maria Schneider, Christian McBride, Joshua Redman, Ignacio Berroa, Anat Cohen, Carmen Bradford, and Dee Daniels.
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.
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.
FREDERICK HOLMES & CO. ART GALLERY
The Gallery’s Featured Exhibition In May And Our Guest of Honor For The Evening: Nationally Renowned, Master Encaustic Painter, ELISE WAGNER.
“What a great concert series and a fantastic venue! Fred is doing such an amazing service for the jazz community here…By the way, I felt perfectly comfortable and safe parking and attending this venue in Pioneer Square!” – Greta Matassa
“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
DETAILS:
Tickets: $23. 100% Of Ticket Proceeds Paid To The Performing Artists. No Refunds.
Seating On Ground Floor And Second Floor Mezzanine. When Given Advance Notice, Guests With Special Needs Will Be Accommodated To The Best Of Our Ability.
Premium Wines Courtesy Of Our Neighboring Business, LOCUS WINES, Available For Purchase By The Glass Or Bottle.
Vaccine Verification Required. Masks Will Be Optional. If Driving Yourself, Please Allow Enough Time To Find Parking, Purchase A Glass Of Wine, And Be Seated. Paid Parking: https://downtownseattle.org/parking/
SUPPORT LIVE REGIONAL JAZZ. SUPPORT THE VISUAL ARTS. THE ARTS SAVE LIVES.
April 24th, 2022
Listen – KNKX 88.5FM, Jazz Northwest by Jim Wilke:
Link to Article
We were happy to have had the opportunity to record a duo piano concert by two great resident pianists on two great Steinway Grands at Stage 7 Pianos in Kirkland. We’ll present the first part of highlights from this concert on today on Jazz Northwest.
Bill Anschell and Francesco Crosara play two restored Steinways from the 1920s from the collection at Stage 7 Pianos. in this show, they’re playing music by Chick Corea, Francesco Crosara and Duke Ellington. Music from the second part of this concert will air next Sunday, May 1.
Also included on this week’s show is music by Kiki Valera, the Ben Thomas Tango Project, Barry Deister’s Quintet from Portland and Tall and Small.
Jazz Northwest is recorded and produced by host Jim Wilke and airs Sundays at 2 p.m. Listeners may also subscribe to the podcast at KNKX, NPR, Apple, or Google.
Jim has been a fixture on Seattle radio since 1961. He was the host of Jazz After Hours on Public Radio International from 1984-2014. Currently Jim has been producing Jazz Northwest for KNKX since 1988. This weekly program focuses on the regional jazz scene and frequently includes performances Jim records on location for Jazz Northwest.
$20 cash cover. Refreshments Available.
Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/francesco-crosara-bill-anschell-jazz-piano-duets-tickets-269891531837
Stage 7 Pianos in Kirkland is proud to announce a special duet performance by jazz pianists Francesco Crosara and Bill Anschell. The duo will present an eclectic program based on jazz improvisation reminiscent of the legendary piano duets by Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock. Expect both lyrical and exuberant music.
About the musicians
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. Crosara who has performed with jazz greats such as Lionel Hampton, Freddie Hubbard, Roy Hargrove, Richie Cole, Ira Sullivan, Bobby Shew, Bruce Forman, Don Menza, Barbara Morrison, and many others, is now based in the Northwest since 2017, where he has collaborated with local stalwarts like Clipper Anderson, Mark Ivester, D’Vonne Lewis, Bruce Phares, Nathan Breedlove, Phil Sparks, Jeff Busch, Osama Afifi, Farko Dosumov, Cliff Colòn, Xavier Lecouturier and more.
After being featured for 2 years in a row in the trend-setting series Earshot Jazz: The Second Century for his bold and innovative music composition and video work, Crosara was also invited to participate in the 2021 Earshot Jazz Festival taking place in October at Town Hall in Seattle, and other venues around town.
Crosara has produced 6 jazz albums internationally, most notably, Colors (through the Chicago-based Southport Records label) featuring the late great Von Freeman, and Emotions (through the TCB Montreux Swiss Jazz label) featuring Lilian Terry on vocals, Von Freeman on tenor sax, and a multi-cultural group of musicians from around the world. An upcoming new CD release featuring 3 Seattle-based rhythm sections is currently in the production phase. Downbeat Jazz Magazine described Crosara as “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.”
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Pianist Bill Anschell has performed in premiere venues throughout the U.S. and abroad, both leading his trio and as pianist/musical director for vocalist Nnenna Freelon. His concert credits include eight European tours with Freelon and seven South American tours with his trio, including concerts in many of the leading international jazz festivals.
Anschell was the creator, producer and theme music composer for JazzSouth, a syndicated radio program broadcast from 1990 – 2002 on more than 200 stations around the world. In 1998 his CD, a different note all together, was selected by UPI (United Press International) as one of the year’s “10 Best” jazz releases. That CD and his two follow-up releases When Cooler Heads Prevail (2001) and More to the Ear than Meets the Eye (2006) both enjoyed critical acclaim and extensive stays on the national jazz radio charts. His 2009 duo CD of spontaneous improvisations with saxophonist Brent Jensen was described by Cadence as “startlingly beautiful, surprising, and powerful…a transforming experience.” Anschell is also highly regarded as a composer; his original pieces have been placed more than 70 times in network and cable programs including NBC’s The West Wing, HBO’s acclaimed series The Wire, and the the Paramount Plus show Yellowstone.
Anschell, a Seattle native, returned to the Emerald City in 2002 after a long residency in Atlanta, Georgia. He received Earshot’s Golden Ear Award as the “Northwest Jazz Instrumentalist of the Year” in 2005, 2010 and 2011; his trio was named “Northwest Acoustic Jazz Ensemble of the Year” in 2006; his Figments CD was named “Northwest Jazz Recording of the Year” in 2011, and in 2016 he was inducted into the Seattle Jazz Hall of Fame.
