Rossano Sportiello, Nicki Parrott & Eddie Metz
Jazz has only been around for only the last 100 years, give or take a few years and there have been many different instrumentations over the years, but maybe none of them have been more popular than the traditional combination of piano, bass and drums. The big name trios come to mind immediately: Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Chick Corea, Ray Brown, Bud Powell, Tommy Flanigan, Herbie Hancock, Ahmad Jamal, George Shearing, Bill Charlap, Shelley Manne, Jeff Hamilton, and the list goes on and on and on. After attending this performance, you will be adding the names Rossano Sportiello, Nicki Parrott and Eddie Metz to this list of outstanding jazz trios. Collectively, they have appeared on hundreds of recordings with such jazz luminaries as Scott Hamilton, Dick Hyman, Houston Person, Warren Vache, Buddy DeFranco, Bucky Pizzarelli, Harry Allen and many more. As a trio, they have recorded four CDs exclusively on the ARBORS Jazz label. www.arborsrecords.com
Rossano, living in New York City since 2007, is originally from Vigevano, Italy, near Milan. He is a classically trained pianist who has completely immersed himself into playing the piano in any style. At the age of 9, Rossano began his formal piano studies with famed Italian classical pianist, Carlo Villa until graduation. During that time, at the age of 18, Rossano joined the famed Milano Jazz Gang, touring all over Europe. Rossano's mentor, Barry Harris, tops the list of jazz influences, but that list is long and varied with many different stylistic piano heros. Rossano will prove to you that he has established himself alongside the giants of jazz piano. www.rossanosportiello.com
Nicki was born and raised in Newcastle, Australia and after high school attended the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music where she proceeded to win some prestigious awards that eventually led to her moving to New York City in 1994. In the year 2000, she landed the bass chair in guitar legend Les Paul's Monday night gig in NYC. She held that chair until Les's passing in 2009. As a result of that Les Paul job, Nicki has appeared with many name guitar players out there. “Every Monday there was a surprise because you never knew who would show up, ready to sit in with Les. Paul McCartney, Steve Miller, Slash, Jose Feliciano and many, many more; they all came to see Les. I was just lucky enough to have been on the gig.” It was also at Les Paul's urging that Nicki started to sing. And sing she does, choosing material from the Great American Song Book with influences from Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Bloosom Dearie, Doris Day and more. You will enjoy her sassy and sexy delivery. www.nickiparrott.com
Eddie grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan and from the age of 3, was fascinated by the drums. His Dad was a dixieland/swing pianist and insisted that Eddie take piano lessons at age 5. This gave Eddie a unique approach to the drums, from the melodic and musical side of things. People comment all the time about Eddie saying, “Yes, he has plenty of chops, but when he solos you can literally hear the melody.” In Oct. 1982, while Eddie was in the prestigious Jazz Studies program at William Paterson College of NJ, he received a call from Count Basie himself to join his world famous big band, which he did for 6 months. Having gone back to school after the Basie job, Eddie graduated in 1984 and promptly moved to Central Florida to the huge theme park and convention work scene. He quickly became the drummer of choice for many, in all kinds of different styles, with influences from all genres of music all over the world and has been the drummer on over 100 CDs. www.eddiemetzjr.com
As a trio, Rossano, Nicki and Eddie have played together since 2008 when they appeared together at the Arbors Jazz Party in Clearwater, FL. Mat Domber, founder of Arbors Records, after hearing their set, asked them to record as a trio. Since then, they have recorded three more trio CDs for Arbors and have appeared around the world at jazz festivals, concerts and clubs, carrying on the tradition of piano-based trio jazz. You will be amazed at their individual and collective technique and imaginative improvisation, playing songs with familiar melodies, ear catching harmony, ultra sensitive dynamics and entertaining showmanship. Please, sit back, relax and enjoy the show!