My Biografy
RICCARDO FASSI PIANO,KEYBOARDS,COMPOSER,ARRANGER
RICCARDO FASSI is one of the best pianist-arranger composer in Italy, well know for his work with Tankio Band, a 10 pieces ensemble, that make some special project about the music of Riccardo Fassi, but also Frank Zappa and Eric Dolphy!
Riccardo has already played with such musicians as:Steve Grossman,Kenny Wheeler, Steve Lacy, Roswell Rudd, Gary Smulyan, Alex Sipiagin, Adam Nussbaum, Dave Binney, Gary Thomas, Eberhard Weber, LeRoy Jenkins, Oliver Lake, Beaver Harris, Don Moye, Billy Cobham, John Mosca, Lew Tabakin, Sal Nistico, Bob Mover, Rufus Reid, Marvin”Smitty”Smith, Mark Dresser, Tim Berne, Zeena Parkins, Brian Carrott, Flavio Boltro, Gunther Schuller(Epitaph 91 Palermo and project about Eric Dolphy 2002 Pescara), John Riley, Massimo Urbani, Antonello Salis, Bill Elgart, Dennis Irwin, Peter Kowald, Nihn LeQuann, Wolfgang Lackerschmid, Butch Morris, Nick Brignola, Ronnie Cuber, Horacio”El Negro”Hernandez, Larry Schneyder, David Fiuczynski, Enrico Rava, Gianluigi Trovesi, Bob Franceschini, Andrew Homzy(Epitaph di Mingus at Metastasio theater in Prato 2003), Dan Moretti, George Lewis , Tom Malone ,Matt Renzi and many others.
Riccardo Fassi has performed abroad,both in festivals and in concerts in Italy,USA,Argentina,Suisse,Germany,Croazia,Spain,Slovenia, Marocco, France.
In november 2002 at Festival in Stresa,Riccardo Fassi did a concert with TANKIO USA BAND SPECIAL PROJECT with Jack Walrath,Alex Sipiagin,Ray Anderson,Bob Stewart,Gary Smulyan,Steve Slagle,Lou Marini,Danny Gottlieb e Fima Ephron;the band played compositions by R.Fassi.
In november 2008,Riccardo Fassi played in New York at 55Bar, and recorded at System Two Studio in Brooklyn with a new band with Alex Sipiagin,Dave Binney,Antonio Sanchez,Gary Smulyan,Essiet Essiet and Andy Hunter.
Since 1983,he has formed and conducted his own big band,the Tankio Band,which is one of the most original realities in the italian music.He has released 20 records as a leader,6 of them with the Tankio Band.The cd Tankio Band Plays Frank Zappa has been awarded as one of the italian best jazz record of the year by the main italian jazz magazine “Musica Jazz”.The Group Tankio Band was voted as one of the best italian group of the year in many critics poll from 1995 to 2007.
Riccardo Fassi worked also as pianist and musical director of
The National Orchestra of Jazz in Italy in 2004-2005.
He teaches jazz in the Conservatory of Florence.
Projects:
Riccardo Fassi New York Pocket Arkestra
Alex Sipiagin trumpet
Dave Binney alto sax
Gary Smulyan baritone sax
Andy Hunter trombone
Riccardo Fassi piano-arrangements
Essiet Essiet bass
Antonio Sanchez drums
-Tankio U.S.A. Band Special Edition
Jack Walrath trumpet
Alex Sipiagin trumpet
Ray Anderson trombone
Bob Stewart tuba
Lou Marini alto sax
Steve Slagle soprano-alto sax,
Gary Smulyan baritone sax
Riccardo Fassi piano,keyboards
Fima Ephron bass
Danny Gottlieb drums
Collaborations with:
– Alex Sipiagin
– Gary Smulyan (quartet-duo)
– Jim Rotondi
– Roswell Rudd
– Antonello Salis (duo)
– Matt Renzi
