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Award-winning jazz pianist Rossano Sportiello was born in Vigevano, Italy
on 1 June 1974. He began studying the piano at the age of 9 under the tutelage of Italian classical pianist Carlo Villa and
continued until his graduation in classical piano from the Conservatory in 1996. By the age of 16, Rossano was performing
professionally at jazz venues in the Milan area. In 1992, he joined one of Europe’s historic jazz bands, the “Milano
Jazz Gang” touring with the group throughout Italy and West Europe until the end of 2000. In the same year, Rossano
met legendary jazz pianist and educator, Barry Harris, who became a mentor and good friend. Mr. Harris has touted Rossano
as “the best stride piano player” he has ever heard and on several occasions has invited Rossano to perform during
his own performances. Stylistically, although international
critics consider Rossano a follower of Ralph Sutton, Dave McKenna and Barry Harris, the influence of other great masters can
be heard in his playing, such as Fats Waller, Teddy Wilson, Art Tatum, Count Basie, Earl Hines, Ellis Larkins and Bill Evans,
to name a few. Rossano was introduced as a soloist by trombonist/arranger
Dan Barrett and drew international acclaim at the 2002 Ascona Jazz Festival (Switzerland) while performing with the eight-piece,
all-star American band led by Barrett, which was enthusiastically received by the audience and critics alike. Rossano has
performed several times at Ascona since and standing ovations after his performances are not uncommon. In July, at the 25th
anniversary of the festival, Rossano received the 2009 Ascona Jazz Award in recognition of his expertise and mastery of jazz
piano, in particular stride piano. Rossano made his first trip to the U.S. and was introduced to the American audience at
the invitation of Mat Domber (Arbors Records) to perform at the 2003 “March of Jazz” party in Clearwater Beach,
Florida. Following his marriage to American writer, Lala Moore, in 2007, Rossano established himself in New York City. Rossano has performed with the world’s finest jazz luminaries, such as Slide Hampton,
Clark Terry, Barry Harris, Dan Barrett, Kenny Davern, Bucky Pizzarelli, Bob Wilber, Warren Vache, Bob Cranshaw, Mickey Roker,
Harry Allen, Howard Alden, Joe Wilder, Eddie Locke, Joe La Barbera, Scott Hamilton, Jake Hanna, Houston Person,
Bill Charlap, Dick Hyman and many others. In recent years Rossano has been in great demand in the United States appearing
at New York venues such as the 92nd Street Y, Town Hall, the United Nations and Shanghai Jazz in New Jersey, as well as at
the main jazz parties and festivals, including The San Diego Jazz Party, Chautauqua Jazz Festival, North Carolina Jazz Party,
Rochester Jazz Festival, Odessa Jazz
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To play jazz and make it understandable to everybody.
Most of all, I want to see people smiling and
having fun!
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Party, Newport Beach Jazz Party,
Arbors Records Invitational Jazz Piano Party, Rocky Mountains Jazz Party and the Roswell Jazz Festival. Internationally, Rossano
has performed regularly at the Blackpool Swinging Jazz Party, Norwich Jazz Party, Nairn International Jazz Festival, Edinburgh
Jazz Festival, Spoleto Piano Festival and Lucerne Piano Festival and at acclaimed venues such as the Philarmonie (Luxembourg),
Teatro Alla Scala (Milan), Marians Jazz Room (Switzerland), Lionel Hampton Jazz Club (Paris), Blue Note (Milan ), Printzregentertheatre
(Munchen-Germany) and Schloss Elmau (Germany), to name a few. Since 2008, Rossano has performed regularly with the Harry Allen
Quartet. On 4 May 2011, in his home town of Vigevano, Italy,
Rossano received the prestigious Vittorio Ramella award, which is bestowed upon native persons of Vigevano who through
their profession have made a significant contribution to the world and distinguished themselves in the international
community. Rossano has recorded
four solo piano CDs, including In the Dark (2004, Sackville); Piano On My Mind (2005, Jazz Connaisseur),
which won the “Prix Du Jazz Classique de l’Académie du Jazz de France”; Heart and Soul (2006,
Arbors Records), selected by the French magazine Jazz Classique among the top 10 of the year; and most recently, It Amazes
Me (2009, Sackville). Rossano recorded two duet CDs with bassist/singer Nicki Parrott on Arbors Records, Do It Again
(2009) and People Will Say We’re In Love (2007), which was selected by The New Yorker magazine as
one of the top 10 jazz CDs of 2007. Rossano also has three jazz CDs featuring classical music, Chopin in Jazz
(2010, SwingBros), Schubert in Jazz (2011, SwingBros) and Listz in Jazz (SwingBros) due out in the Fall 2011.
(See discography for more
CDs.) |
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