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.

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. 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’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.

“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

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