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Francesco Crosara

Francesco Crosara is a Seattle based Italian jazz pianist, composer and educator, typically performing in a range of formats, from solo, duet, trio, quartet, or more. Originally from Milan, Italy, Crosara’s music melds an impressive mix of jazz improvisation, a romantic vein from his classical training, along with Latin influences. His major 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, Von Freeman, Bobby Shew, Ira Sullivan, Bruce Forman, Barbara Morrison, Don Menza, Lilian Terry, and more. His recordings have featured a multicultural and international array of musicians.

Since relocating to Seattle in 2017, Crosara has contributed to the Northwest scene in a variety of projects, styles and formats, ranging from acoustic straight-ahead jazz to electric jazz fusion with world music influences. Some highlights:

New CD Release "CIRCULAR MOTION" (2024): from a lifetime of music creation, Crosara selected 10 of his compositions from the last 40 years with the idea of highlighting the nexus between early work, with its simplicity and youthful appeal, to later works where he expressed richer harmonic textures and possibilities.
Crosara and his wife Julia, an abstract painter, were featured in the April 2022 edition of Earshot Jazz Magazine for their online series collaboration entitled Art Music.
Crosara’s April 2022 piano duet collaboration with fellow pianist Bill Anschell was featured on Jim Wilke’s Jazz Northwest show on KNKX 88.5FM (an NPR affiliate).
Crosara’s acoustic trio was selected to perform at Seattle’s 2021 Earshot Jazz Festival.
Crosara’s work was featured in 2019 and 2020 in the trend-setting Earshot Jazz: The Second Century series for his bold and innovative music composition and video work.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Crosara participated in international virtual events, such as the 2021 Livestream from the Royal Room (USA) the 2020 Kansai Music Conference (Japan) and the 2020 Morelia Jazztival (Mexico).

Crosara also serves 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.

Awards

Na Hoku Hanahano Awards, Honolulu, Hawaii - Nomination for Best Instrumental Album, "Energy", 1993

Francesco Crosara: Jazz Journeys from Rome to Seattle

by Lawrence Peryer
June 1, 2024

Today, the Spotlight shines on jazz pianist, composer, and educator Francesco Crosara. Francesco was born and raised in jny: Rome, Italy, where both jazz and classical music came into his life early on, particularly through his mother, the influential jazz singer, broadcaster, and educator Lilian Terry. Lilian presented many of the most important names in American jazz, and some--like Max Roach, Abbey Lincoln, Chick Corea, and Dizzy Gillespie--influenced young Francesco's artistic growth. Francesco studied classical piano, ...

Radio & Podcasts

Joel Ross, Pat Metheny & Francesco Crosara

by Joe Dimino
February 18, 2024

From the talented Italian-born, Seattle-based pianist Francesco Crosara, we start the 842nd Episode of Neon Jazz with the title track off his album Circular Motion. From there, we get into an inspiration of his in Chick Corea's Return to Forever. Also, new music from Joel Ross, Doug MacDonald and Mike LeDonne. We close out the hour with a triumphant tune from The Gary Urwin Jazz Orchestra. Dig the jazz, my friends.Playlist Francesco Crosara “Circular Motion" Circular Motion (OA2 ...

Liner Notes

Francesco Crosara: Circular Motion

by David Adler
January 6, 2024

"I refuse to be labeled a 'straight-ahead' player or a 'fusion' player," says Italian-born, Seattle-based pianist Francesco Crosara. It's a sentiment widely shared by jazz musicians, though they follow many different roads to get to that place. Crosara, for his part, plays both acoustic piano and Yamaha MODX-8 synthesizer on this absorbing, varied program of original music for three different trio lineups, two of them with electric bass. He cites the influence of Chick Corea, a mentor and family friend ...

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Album Review

Francesco Crosara: Colors

by Joel Roberts
December 1, 1999

On his impressive new album, Colors , Francesco Crosara proves he is a pianist with expert chops and broad interests.Born in Italy and based now in Chicago, Crosara has an awareness of world music but a firm grounding in the modern jazz vernacular. His major piano influences are unsurprising: Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea. Like them, he has an interest in electric as well as acoustic jazz. On several numbers he switches to the recently resurgent Fender Rhodes ...

“Crosara is well-versed in bop lore, and his delicate flow might indicate a debt to Bill Evans.” DOWN BEAT

"seamlessly combines aesthetics and instrumentation throughout the album" JAZZIZ

"Crosara skillfully translates the grammar of each style into his own voice" Earshot Jazz, Seattle

"If you love the piano, you're in for a treat!" Paris Move (France)

"l’inspiration et le plaisir" Le Soir (Belgium)

"Crosara sein visionäres Savoir-faire" Jazz'N More (Switzerland)

“Crosara is well-versed in bop lore, and his delicate flow might indicate a debt to Bill Evans.” DOWN BEAT

"seamlessly combines aesthetics and instrumentation throughout the album" JAZZIZ

"Crosara skillfully translates the grammar of each style into his own voice" Earshot Jazz, Seattle

"If you love the piano, you're in for a treat!" Paris Move (France)

"l’inspiration et le plaisir" Le Soir (Belgium)

"Crosara sein visionäres Savoir-faire" Jazz'N More (Switzerland)

"delightfully orchestrated" Anne Carlini, Exclusive Magazine

"Riches de textures harmoniques" Culture Jazz (France)

"Circular Motion is a masterpiece that speaks passionately about the pianist's past and future." Jazz Life (Japan)

"recommended to all fans of piano and piano trios" Jazz Views (UK)

"Circular Motion takes us on a grand musical journey across continents and decades." Fra Noi Magazine, Chicago

"knappe composities die perfect worden vertolkt door uitmuntende muzikanten" Roots Time (Belgium)

"sublime senso della melodia" WIndout Magazine (Italy)

"perfect blend of technicality in composition and imagination in improvisational flights" Raul Da Gama, That Canadian Magazine

"Zwar ist und bleibt sich Francesco Crosara treu" Kultur Port (Germany)

“On keyboards, there’s a Stevie Wonder meets Weather Report feel” Jazz Weekly

“Play what you love” Times-Standard

“un vocabolario finemente elaborato e un tocco scintillante e attento” Udite Udite (Italy)

“Crosara assembles a fine team of musicians for Circular Motion.” O’s Place Jazz Magazine

“brillante carriera del pianista italiano” Backdigit Magazine (Italy)

“always connected to the moment he shares with his fellow musicians and audience.” KNKX Studio Session
“Crosara plays this music in his own voice.” Scott Yanow, LA Jazz Scene
“The influences from Chick Corea and Dizzy Gillespie won’t be hard to spot or appreciate here” Take Effect

"Francesco Crosara proves he is a pianist with expert chops and broad interests. [...] Crosara has an awareness of world music but a firm grounding in the modern jazz vernacular. His major piano influences are unsurprising: Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea. Like them, he has an interest in electric as well as acoustic jazz." --Joel Roberts, All About Jazz

"... the kind of sensitive swing seldom heard since Bill Evans. [...] Crosara's [...] rubato meanderings [...] are precious insights into his fertile imagination and harmonic daring." --Harvey Siders, JazzTimes Magazine

"The piano echoes notes like twinkling stars, beauty surrounded by silence. [...] you'll dance through your tears and love the loneliness, I did. --John Barrett Jr, JazzImprov Magazine

“Pianist Francesco Crosara’s eclectic brand of jazz was born from early classical studies in harmony and composition at the Conservatory of Rome, steeped in the tradition of Italian and European romantic musical heritage, and honed by exposure to mainstream jazz and world music. His style is heavily influenced by improvisation and bouncy lyrical expressions drawn from jazz and Latin vocabularies. Crosara’s compositions are considerate of their audience, providing a source of joy, comfort, escape, and healing. Crosara believes jazz is a collective experience and a “living language” that distills a multitude of identities, backgrounds, and personalities.” --Earshot Jazz

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