Entertainment
Rossano Sportiello, pianist, and Nicki Parrott, bassist/vocalist to perform at "Jazz to the Max"
By Westport Arts Center
Aug 15, 2008 - 6:53:33 AM

Nicki Parrott

International jazz musicians Rossano Sportiello, pianist, and Nicki Parrott, bassist/vocalist, will present a concert as part of Westport Arts Center’s “Jazz to the Max” series on Sunday, September 14, 4 p.m., at the Pequot Library, 720 Pequot Avenue, Southport. Tickets are $35; student tickets (under 18) with valid ID are $5.

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.”

Rossano Sportiello

Sportiello has performed with many of the world’s finest jazz luminaries, such as Slide Hampton, Gerry Mulligan, Bucky Pizzarelli, Dick Hyman, Ken Peplowski and others. He performs throughout Europe, including the 2006 International Stride Piano Summit in Germany, as well as performances at the Ascona Jazz Festival in Switzerland, the Nairn Festival in Scotland and the Swinging Jazz Party in Blackpool, Manchester. His solo piano recordings include “In the Dark,” “Piano on My Mind” and “Heart and Soul.” With bassist Nicki Parrott, he recorded “People Will Say We're In Love,” reviewed by The New Yorker as one of the best 10 jazz albums of 2007.

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.

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