"I have chosen to put together the "Crosara plays Gerswhin" piano solo event at the Cellar Cat for three main reasons: 1) I truly enjoy playing solo piano as it allows me total control of the creative process, 2) The Cellar Cat is an ideal venue for a more intimate and introspective performance, 3) By presenting the music of George Gerswhin, I have a vast repertoire of iconic jazz and blues standards to choose from. Gershwin's melodies capture deep emotion while being accessible and have become timeless classics. As a jazz pianist, my goal is to add my own personal touch to every piece, making it uniquely mine. Expect reinterpretation and improvisation." ~ Francesco Crosara...
read more
"I have chosen to put together the "Crosara plays Gerswhin" piano solo event at the Cellar Cat for three main reasons: 1) I truly enjoy playing solo piano as it allows me total control of the creative process, 2) The Cellar Cat is an ideal venue for a more intimate and introspective performance, 3) By presenting the music of George Gerswhin, I have a vast repertoire of iconic jazz and blues standards to choose from. Gershwin's melodies capture deep emotion while being accessible and have become timeless classics. As a jazz pianist, my goal is to add my own personal touch to every piece, making it uniquely mine. Expect reinterpretation and improvisation." ~ Francesco Crosara
ABOUT FRANCESCO
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 has produced 7 jazz albums internationally over the last three decades ranging from straight-ahead to jazz fusion, Latin and World music. His latest CD project, “Circular Motion”, released in 2024 by Origin/OA2 Records, was nominated for NW Recording of the Year at the Golden Ear Awards in Seattle, WA. Crosara’s 2000 album “Colors”, featuring guest artist, Chicago tenor sax legend Von Freeman, received 4 stars from Down Beat magazine.
Crosara also serves as President on the Board of Directors of the Music Discovery Center (MDC), a non-profit organization based in Bremerton, WA, dedicated to creating an inclusive space for community members to experience, explore, and contribute to the world of music through education, performance, and mentorship.
show less
