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