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Sportiello said his goal is “to play jazz and make it understandable to everybody. Most of all, I want to see people smiling and having fun!” Even before the French institution, L’Académie du Jazz recognized his work on solo piano as the Prix du Jazz Classique 2005 or magazines such as Jazz Classique and Jazz Hot printed rave reviews about him, 32-year old pianist Rossano Sportiello, was an emerging talent on the international jazz scene. A native of Vigevano, Italy, he graduated from the Italian Conservatory and began his musical career at the age of 18 by joining the “Milano Jazz Gang,” one of Europe’s historic bands. An accomplished stride pianist, Sportiello grew up listening to Jelly Roll Morton and Fats Waller. However, his piano style also pays homage to the swing and bebop eras. His mentor, bebop pianist Barry Harris, said “Rossano makes me smile when he plays.”
Nicki Parrott came to New York in May 1994 on an Arts Council grant from Australia to study with the internationally acclaimed bassist, Rufus Reid. Since 2000, she has played on Monday nights at the Iridium Jazz Club with the legendary guitarist and inventor, Les Paul. She and her sister, Lisa Parrott, headlined at the prestigious Tribute to Mary Lou Williams Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in 2002, which was broadcast on National Public Radio. She is also the resident bassist with the Kitchen House Blend which premieres and performs new music by New York composers. The Washington Times calls Ms. Parrott “the most astonishing new jazz musician we have seen in years.” The “Jazz to the Max” series is coordinated by Max Wilk of Westport. The Westport Arts Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating arts experiences that contribute to individual growth and enrich the community. The Westport Arts Center is supported with funds from The Artur and Heida Hermanns Holde Foundation, Inc., Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, National Endowment for the Arts, Connecticut Light & Power, Fairfield County Bank, Gault, Inc., Main Street Resources, U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management, and Westport Resources. For information and tickets, contact Westport Arts Center at 203-222-7070, purchase online at www.westportartscenter.org, or visit the gallery, M-F, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sat. and Sun. from 12 noon to 4 p.m., at 51 Riverside Avenue, Westport. © Copyright by NorwalkPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of NorwalkPlus.com, Norwalk Plus magazine, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. Related Articles: Hornman Chuck Mangione brings jazz to Ridgefield - Sep 24, 2008 - 7:49 AM Bees Without Borders presents this year’s first local fundraiser at Fat Cat Pie Co. in South Norwalk - Sep 16, 2008 - 6:47 AM Tom Tom Club to headline Sounds of SoNo Concert - Sep 12, 2008 - 2:15 PM Reflections by Yvonne Boogaerts - Sep 12, 2008 - 1:11 PM Celebrities offer unique auction experiences to support Westport Country Playhouse - Sep 10, 2008 - 7:31 AM CURRENT HEADLINES: Top of Page
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