Home » Jazz Musicians » Renee Rosnes

Renee Rosnes

Renee Rosnes is one of the premier jazz pianists and composers of her generation. Upon moving to New York City from Vancouver, Canada, she quickly established a reputation of high regard, touring and recording with such masters as Joe Henderson, Wayne Shorter, Bobby Hutcherson, J.J. Johnson, James Moody, and legendary bassist Ron Carter. She was a charter member of the all-star ensemble, the SFJAZZ Collective, with whom she toured for six years.

Ms. Rosnes has released 17 recordings, and has appeared on many others as a sideman. In 2016, Written in the Rocks (Smoke Sessions) was named one of ten Best Jazz Albums of the Year by The Chicago Tribune, one of the Best Albums in all genres of music by The Nation, and was awarded a 2017 Canadian Juno (her fifth Juno award). JazzTimes wrote, “Ms. Rosnes delivers conceptual heft, suspenseful compositions and mesmerizing performances,” and DownBeat praised it as “an exceptional achievement” stating “Rosnes is a virtuoso composer.” The band’s most recent session, Beloved of the Sky (2018) draws inspiration for the title track from Canadian painter Emily Carr, and features master musicians Chris Potter, Steve Nelson, Peter Washington and Lenny White.

Renee has produced concerts at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and the 92nd Street Y in New York City. Renee is also the music director for ARTEMIS, a new all-star international band featuring the vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant, clarinetist Anat Cohen, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, tenor saxophonist Melissa Aldana, bassist Noriko Ueda and drummer Allison Miller.

1Over her 30 year career, Rosnes has collaborated with a diverse range of artists, from established masters such as Jack DeJohnette and tabla master Zakir Hussain, to younger giants such as Christian McBride, Chris Potter, Nicholas Payton and Melissa Aldana. She is a formidable composer and in 2003 was named SOCAN’s Composer of the Year. Her works have been performed and recorded by Phil Woods, JJ Johnson, Lewis Nash, Joe Locke, the Danish Radio Big Band, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra, and trombonist Michael Dease.

From 2008-2010, Rosnes enjoyed her role as host of The Jazz Profiles, an interview series produced by CBC-Radio. Also in the role of jazz journalist, Renee has contributed two major cover story interviews for JazzTimes magazine, one with Wayne Shorter and his quartet (April 2013) and the other with the late pianist Geri Allen (September 2013).

Aside from her work as a leader, Rosnes is currently a member of bassist Ron Carter’s Quartet, and often performs with her husband, acclaimed pianist Bill Charlap.

Renee Rosnes: Crossing Paths

Read "Crossing Paths" reviewed by Katchie Cartwright

by Katchie Cartwright
December 7, 2024

In the course of an illustrious career that began in the 1980s and continues to flourish, Renee Rosnes has developed an extraordinary sound, both as a composer and as a pianist, one that is readily recognizable whatever the context. With Crossing Paths, she taps into longstanding affinities and affection for Brazilian music, illuminating elements and flavors that distinguish her singular style, animating the band and the material with her arranging magic. She opens the curtain with “Frevo," grabbing ...

Album Review

Neil Swainson Sextet: Here for a While

Read "Here for a While" reviewed by Pierre Giroux

by Pierre Giroux
September 9, 2024

Neil Swainson's Here For A While is a tutorial in modern jazz composition and ensemble synergy. Swainson, a bassist of profound depth and melodic sensibility, has gathered a formidable sextet for this project, including Brad Turner on trumpet and flugelhorn, Kelly Jefferson on tenor andsoprano saxophones, Steve Davis on trombone, Renee Rosnes on piano and Quincy Davis on drums. Together, they bring to life nine compositions that are as intricate as they are engaging, each a testament to Swainson's skill ...

Album Review

Nick Finzer: Legacy

by Pierre Giroux
April 13, 2024

In the realm of jazz, the legacy of J.J. Johnson looms large and immutable, casting an indelible shadow over the trombone's narrative. It is with reverence and a touch of audacity that trombonist Nick Finzer undertakes the task of honoring this titan with his album Legacy a centennial celebration of JJ Johnson. Joined by a stellar ensemble featuring Renee Rosnes, who served as the pianist in Johnson's quintet from 1989 to 1997, bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Lewis Nash, Finzer ...

Multiple Reviews

Exotic Ivories: Hard Bop Piano and World Beat Rhythms

by AAJ Staff
March 7, 2024

This article was first published at All About Jazz in January 2002. Jazz piano and world music rhythm make an enchanting pair. With the popularization of world beat music, jazz musicians nurtured on straight-ahead precepts have incorporated instruments and musical concepts from other cultures into their art. Some, like saxophonist Sam Newsome on last year's release Global Unity, have exited traditional jazz entirely, adopting these international grooves wholesale. Others--clarinetist Don Byron, for instance, on his recent Your Are ...

Album Review

John La Barbera Big Band: Grooveyard

Read "Grooveyard" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
September 27, 2023

Composer/arranger John La Barbera has been at the top of his game for more than half a century, and Grooveyard is simply another example of his undiminished artistry. Besides arranging everything--superbly, as always--La Barbera wrote six of the session's ten charming songs, escorting other treasures by Carl Perkins, Dave Brubeck, Curtis Fuller and Elvin Jones. As he writes his handsome and colorful big-band charts, La Barbera is always careful to observe Rule No. 1: they have to ...

Album Review

The John La Barbera Big Band: Grooveyard

Read "Grooveyard" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello

by Nicholas F. Mondello
August 20, 2023

The geometry, if you will, of a terrific big band recording is such that the three major elements--the players, the arrangements, and the performance--balance in every regard. Grooveyard from the John La Barbera Big Band is such an offering. The album features ten masterfully selected, arranged, and performed selections, each containing outstanding section, solo, and ensemble playing. Wes Montgomery's “Grooveyard" launches a hip, swinging first course in which tenor man Pat La Barbera and guitarist Brandon Coleman ...

Album Review

Artemis: In Real Time

Read "In Real Time" reviewed by Katchie Cartwright

by Katchie Cartwright
May 29, 2023

For drummer Allison Miller, a key feature of In Real Time is that this second Blue Note release captures the unique ensemble sound of Artemis. She stresses a palpable sonic integrity that she attributes to trust and chemistry. Renee Rosnes emphasizes the singularity of each player in the equation, underscoring “a striking juxtaposition between the stylistic approaches of the two saxophonists," Nicole Glover and Alexa Tarantino; “each illuminates the other." She adds, “ Nobody sounds like Ingrid," which is certainly ...

Interview

Interview: Renee Rosnes

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
September 16, 2021

I've always loved Renee Rosnes's piano—on albums and in concert. She appears on stage, politely recognizes the audience and then disappears into a stormy world of musical energy, complex originality and passion. So it was gratifying to have the opportunity recently to interview and write about her new album for The Wall Street Journal's Arts in Review section. I've known Renee's husband, Bill Charlap, for years and have huge admiration for him. He's a gorgeous, exceptional jazz player and accompanist. ...
read more

Performance / Tour

Steve Wilson Returns To The Village Vanguard, December 4-9, Joined By Pianist Renee Rosnes And Bassist Peter Washington

Source: Seth Cohen PR
November 13, 2012

Acclaimed jazz saxophonist Steve Wilson will headline a week at the legendary Village Vanguard in New York City, December 4th through 9th, 2012. Wilson will be joined by pianist Renee Rosnes and by bassist Peter Washington. The collaborative, co-led trio first performed together at Kitano in NYC, a two-night sold-out visit which Wilson fondly recalls as “one of the best musical experiences I've ever had." This collaborative trio, which first played at Kitano in NYC, is looking forward to playing ...
read more

124

Event

Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes to Perform at SOPAC Benefit This Saturday 6/19

Source: AMT Public Relations
June 15, 2010

South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) proudly presents SMALL TOWN, BIG TALENT An all-day celebration of South Orange/Maplewood arts and community, todays top artists join hands to help benefit SOPAC Celebration starts June 19th @ 11:00AM with a Community Sing-Along, followed by an Afternoon of Editing Workshop & Rachel Getting Married Film Screening with award-winning editor Tim Squyres, and Class of 93 Artist Talk with Zach Braff & AJ Calloway, and ends with SOPACs Benefit Gala Hosted by NY1s Budd ...
read more

182

Event

National Jazz Museum in Harlem Presents Renee Rosnes, Njmih Allstars and Christian McBride

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
April 17, 2007

The National Jazz Museum in Harlem 104 East 126th Street, Suite 2D New York, NY 10035 212 348-8300

THIS WEEK THE NATIONAL JAZZ MUSEUM IN HARLEM PRESENTS: RENEE ROSNES, THE JAZZ MUSEUM IN HARLEM ALLSTARS, CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE

Tuesday, 4/17@ 7 p.m.

JAZZ FOR CURIOUS LISTENERS continues with another inspiring visit from Jazz Museum in Harlem Co-Director CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE leading a free jazz course at the Metropolitan Methodist Church (126th St/ Madison)

Friday, ...
read more