Pasquale Grasso
{{Short description|Italian jazz guitarist}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Pasquale Grasso
| image = Grasso, Pasquale by Ron Jaramillo.jpg
| image_size =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth-date and age|October 19, 1988}}
| birth_place = Ariano Irpino, Italy
| years_active = 2011–present
| alias =
| genre = {{hlist|Jazz}}
| label =
| website = {{url|https://www.pasqualegrasso.com}}
| associated_acts = {{hlist|Luigi Grasso|Laura Benanti|Samara Joy|Barry Harris}}
}}
Pasquale Grasso is an Italian-born jazz guitarist based in New York City. He is known for a pianistic approach to jazz guitar influenced by Bud Powell's style, and for using classical position and technique enabled by classical training.
Early life and musical beginnings
Grasso grew up on a farm in Ariano Irpino in the Campania region of Italy. His parents were jazz and classical music lovers. His older brother Luigi took up the saxophone at an early age. Their father bought Pasquale his first guitar when he was five, and by the time he was nine and Luigi was 11 they were performing locally.{{citation |url=https://jazztimes.com/features/profiles/pasquale-grasso-pianistic-guitarist/ | author= Ted Panken | title= Pasquale Grasso: The Pianistic Guitarist | publisher=Jazz Times | date=28 June 2021 | accessdate=12 April 2022}}
Grasso's first important mentor was Agostino Di Giorgio.{{citation |url= https://www.magazzino.art/events/pasquale-grasso-quartet | title= Pasquale Grasso Quartet December 14, 2019, 6:00 - 8:00pm Magazzino Italian Art | publisher= Magazzino Italian Art Foundation | date=14 December 2019 | accessdate=12 April 2022}} Then in summer 1998 Pasquale attended Barry Harris' jazz workshop in Switzerland. The educator and bebop pianist brought Pasquale and
Luigi into his international workshops, where over the next five years they became instructors. Pasquale became Harris’ guitar teaching assistant and has conducted workshops in Italy, Switzerland, France, Spain, Holland, and Slovenia.{{citation |url= https://www.zincjazz.com/event/guitar-masters-series-pasquale-grasso/ | title= GUITAR MASTERS SERIES: PASQUALE GRASSO | publisher=Zinc Jazz | date=8 July 2019 | accessdate=12 April 2022}}
In 2008 Pasquale studied under Walter Zanetti{{citation |url= https://www.purchase.edu/live/profiles/2184-pasquale-grasso | title= Pasquale Grasso | publisher=Purchase College | accessdate=12 April 2022}} at Bologna’s Conservatorio Giovanni Battista Martini and earned a degree in classical guitar. Here he developed his own approach to jazz guitar, combining classical tradition with Chuck Wayne’s modern technique.{{citation |url= https://benedettoguitars.com/2015/10/14/and-the-winner-is/ | title= AND THE WINNER IS… | publisher=Benedetto Guitars | date=14 October 2015 | accessdate=12 April 2022}}
Music career: 2011–present
{{Like resume|section|date=November 2023}}
In 2012 he moved to New York City.{{citation |url= https://www.westsidespirit.com/city-arts/the-usher-of-spring-GY1643932 | author= Zachary Weg | title= The Usher of Spring | publisher=West Side Spirit | date=19 May 2021 | accessdate=12 April 2022}} He became part of the Ari Roland Quartet{{citation |url= https://rollingstoneindia.com/concert-review-ari-roland-quartet/ | title= Concert Review: The Ari Roland Quartet | author= Sunil Sampat | publisher= Rolling Stone India | date=21 December 2017 |accessdate=12 April 2022}} and the Chris Byars Quartet, with both of which he toured and recorded. Later that year, Pasquale was named a Jazz Ambassador for the U.S. State Department, and toured on behalf of the embassy{{citation |url= https://litchfieldjazzfest.com/2022/07/11/27th-annual-litchfield-jazz-festival-performer-spotlight-pasquale-grasso/ | title= 27th Annual Litchfield Jazz Festival Performer Spotlight: Pasquale Grasso | publisher= litchfieldjazzfest.com | date=11 July 2022 |accessdate=29 November 2022}} in Europe, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Cyprus, Lithuania, Ukraine, and other places.
In 2015 he released his debut album, Reflections of Me. Earlier the same year he and harmonica player Yvonnick Prené released the album Merci Toots which included tunes by Toots Thielemans, Bud Powell, Thelonious Monk and Charlie Parker.{{citation |url= https://www.allaboutjazz.com/merci-toots-yvonnick-prene-self-produced-review-by-chris-mosey | author= Chris Mosey | title= Yvonnick Prene And Pasquale Grasso: Merci Toots | publisher=All About Jazz | date=15 March 2015 | accessdate=12 April 2022}}
Also in 2015 he won the Wes Montgomery International Jazz Guitar Competition.{{citation |url= http://www.jazzitalia.net/viscomunicatoemb.asp?ID=22881#.YlXXRy-B0UQ | title= Pasquale Grasso vince a New York la prima edizione del Wes Montgomery International Jazz Guitar Competition | publisher=Jazzitalia | date=21 October 2015 | accessdate=12 April 2022}} One of the judges, Bill Milkowski, wrote later that Pasquale had "stunned the judges...with his sheer speed and fluency, precise articulation and sophisticated eloquence on the instrument, combining aspects of Joe Pass and Bud Powell into one formidable, unforgettable six-string voice."{{citation |url= https://www.jazziz.com/guitartistry-a-tale-of-two-rising-six-string-stars/ | title= GuitArtistry: A Tale of Two Rising Six-String Stars | author=Bill Milkowski | publisher=Jazziz | date=24 June 2021 | accessdate=12 April 2022}}
In 2016 Pat Metheny told Vintage Guitar magazine that Grasso was “the best guitar player I’ve heard in maybe my entire life.”{{citation |url= https://www.vintageguitar.com/26318/pat-metheny-2/ | author= Dan Forte | title= Pat Metheny: The Jazz Guitar Prodigy at 60 | publisher=Vintage Guitar Magazine | accessdate=12 April 2022}}
In 2017, Pasquale signed with Sony Masterworks and, working with producer Matt Pierson, recorded a series of solo recordings, released as digital EPs, beginning in 2019 and starting with Solo Standards Vol. 1{{citation |url= https://downbeat.com/news/detail/pasquale-grasso-embraces-bebop-aesthetic | author= Ken Micallef | title= Pasquale Grasso Embraces a Bebop Aesthetic | publisher=Downbeat | date=16 September 2019 | accessdate=12 April 2022}} followed by Solo Ballads Vol.1, Solo Monk, Solo Bud Powell,{{citation |url= https://www.newyorker.com/goings-on-about-town/night-life/pasquale-grasso-solo-bud-powell | author= Steve Futterman | title= Pasquale Grasso: "Solo Bud Powell" | magazine=The New Yorker | accessdate=12 April 2022}}{{citation |url= https://www.jazzwise.com/features/article/the-best-new-jazz-albums-editor-s-choice-september-2020 | title= THE BEST NEW JAZZ ALBUMS: EDITOR'S CHOICE, SEPTEMBER 2020 | publisher=Jazzwise | date=13 August 2020 | accessdate=26 April 2022}} Solo Holiday,{{citation |url= https://londonjazznews.com/2020/03/06/pasquale-grasso-solo-masterpieces/ | author= Adam Sieff | title= Pasquale Grasso: Solo Masterpieces | publisher=London Jazz News | date=6 March 2020 | accessdate=12 April 2022}} and Solo Bird.{{citation |url= https://www.broadwayworld.com/cabaret/article/Birdland-Jazz-Club-Celebrates-The-Charlie-Parker-Centennial-With-Pasquale-Grasso-Champian-Fulton-Joe-Lovano-20200824 | author= A.A. Cristi | title= Birdland Jazz Club Celebrates The Charlie Parker Centennial With Pasquale Grasso, Champian Fulton & Joe Lovano | publisher=Broadway World | date=24 August 2020 | accessdate=12 April 2022}} An album comprising tracks from these recordings was released as Solo Masterpieces in 2020.
In November 2020 he performed a run of shows with Laura Benanti in October 2021 at Feinstein’s/54 Below{{citation |url= https://downbeat.com/reviews/detail/pasquale-plays-duke | author= Ed Enright | title= Pasquale Grasso: Pasquale Plays Duke | publisher=Downbeat | date=1 September 2021 | accessdate=12 April 2022}} and was featured on Benanti's 2020 self-titled album and on her "Go Slow" single and video.{{citation |url= https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-Laura-Benanti-Reveals-Music-Video-for-Go-Slow-20201120 | author= Stage Tube | title= VIDEO: Watch Laura Benanti's New Music Video for 'Go Slow' | publisher=Broadway World | date=20 November 2020 | accessdate=12 April 2022}} He appeared with Benanti again in 2021, at Feinstein's Diamond Series concert.{{citation |url= https://www.broadwayworld.com/cabaret/article/BWW-Review-Glamorous-Laura-Benanti-Polishes-THE-DIAMOND-SERIES-At-Feinsteins54-Below-20211006 | author= Bobby Patrick | title= BWW Review: Glamorous Laura Benanti Polishes THE DIAMOND SERIES At Feinstein's/54 Below | publisher=Broadway World | date=6 October 2021 | accessdate=26 April 2022}}
On 17 September 2021 Sony Masterworks released his album of Duke Ellington covers,{{citation |url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/oct/30/pasquale-grasso-pasquale-plays-duke-ellington-review | author= Dave Gelly | title= Pasquale Grasso: Pasquale Plays Duke review – boggling brilliance from the guitar virtuoso | work=The Guardian | date=30 October 2021 | accessdate=12 April 2022}} Pasquale Plays Duke, with bassist Ari Roland and drummer Keith Balla and guest vocalists Samara Joy and Sheila Jordan.{{citation |url= https://www.jazziz.com/song-of-the-day-pasquale-grasso-solitude-feat-samara-joy/ | author= Matt Micucci | title= Song of the Day: Pasquale Grasso, "Solitude" feat. Samara Joy | publisher=Jazziz | date=21 September 2021 | accessdate=12 April 2022}} The same year he appeared leading the trio backing Samara Joy on her album Samara Joy.{{citation |url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/aug/07/samara-joy-debut-album-review-pasquale-grasso-sarah-vaughan | author= Dave Gelly | title= Samara Joy: Samara Joy review – classic American song in safe young hands | work=The Guardian | date=7 August 2021 | accessdate=26 April 2022}} On 15 February 2022 he performed on the Today Show with Samara Joy,{{citation |url= https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Samara-Joy-Performs-On-TODAY-WITH-HODA-JENNA-20220223 | author= Chloe Rabinowitz | title= Samara Joy Performs On TODAY WITH HODA & JENNA | publisher=Broadway World | date=23 February 2022 | accessdate=26 April 2022}} and appeared on her 2022 album Linger Awhile.{{citation |url=https://jazztimes.com/reviews/albums/samara-joy-linger-awhile-verve/ | author= Veronica Johnson | title= Samara Joy: Linger Awhile (Verve) | publisher=JazzTimes | date=20 October 2022 | accessdate=23 November 2022}}
In 2022, Grasso earned a Grammy Award for his work on Linger Awhile, the debut studio album by jazz vocalist Samara Joy, which won Best Jazz Vocal Album.{{Cite web |title=You are being redirected... |url=https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/everything-else/94240-grammys-samara-joy-album-feat-pasquale-grasso.html |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=www.jazzguitar.be}}
In 2024, he was recognized by DownBeat magazine as Guitarist of the Year in their Rising Star category.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-05 |title=Pasquale Grasso Downbeat Magazine’s 2024 Top Rising Guitarist Plays Mezzrow Jazz Club |url=https://villageview.nyc/2025/01/05/pasquale-grasso-downbeat-magazines-2024-top-rising-guitarist-plays-mezzrow-jazz-club/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=The Village View |language=en-US}}
In 2025, Grasso released Fervency with Sony Masterworks, an album featuring his longtime collaborators Keith Balla on drums and Ari Roland on double bass. {{Cite web |title=Pasquale Grasso Releases New Album: Fervency – Jazz Guitar Life |url=https://www.thejazzguitarlife.com/2025/02/07/pasquale-grasso-releases-new-album-fervency/ |access-date=2025-02-27 |language=en-US}}
He has had residencies at New York City clubs including Birdland Jazz Club in Hell’s Kitchen and Mezzrow in the West Village.
Pasquale plays a "Modello Pasquale Grasso” guitar made for him by American luthier living in France, Bryant Trenier and uses a restored 1953 Gibson GA-50 amp.
Discography
=Albums and EPs as leader=
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Album !Month/ Year !Label |
| Fervency
|Feb 2025 |Sony Masterworks |
| Be-Bop!
|Jun 2022 |Sony Masterworks |
| Pasquale Plays Duke
|Sep 2021 |Sony Masterworks |
| Solo Ballads
|Apr 2021 |Sony Masterworks |
| Solo Standards
|Oct 2020 |Sony Masterworks |
| Solo Bird (EP)
|Aug 2020 |Sony Masterworks |
| Solo Bud Powell
|May 2020 |Sony Masterworks |
| Solo Masterpieces
|Mar 2020 |Sony Masterworks |
| Solo Holiday (EP)
|Nov 2019 |Sony Masterworks |
| Solo Monk (EP)
|Oct 2019 |Sony Masterworks |
| Solo Ballads Vol.1 (EP)
|Aug 2019 |Sony Masterworks |
| Solo Standards Vol.1 (EP)
|Jun 2019 |Sony Masterworks |
| In the Mood for a Classic (with Renaud Penant)
|Apr 2017 |Gut String Records |
| Reflections of Me
|Aug 2015 |Grasso Productions |
| Merci Toots (with Yvonnick Prené)
|Jan 2015 |Prene Productions |
=As a sideman=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col" | Recording
! scope="col" | Artist ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Label |
|---|
| scope="row"| Look Ahead
| Chris Byars | 2023 | Steeplechase |
| scope="row"| Linger Awhile
| 2022 | Verve |
| scope="row"| Samara Joy
| Samara Joy | 2021 | Whirlwind Recordings |
| scope="row"| Laura Benanti
| 2020 | Sony Masterworks |
| scope="row"| Night at the Movies
| Svetlana | 2019 | Starr Records |
| scope="row"| Workers' Comp
| Jamale Davis | 2018 | Gut String Records |
| scope="row"| New York City Jazz
| Chris Byars | 2018 | Steeplechase |
| scope="row"| The Greenwich Session
| Luigi Grasso | 2018 | Camille Productions |
| scope="row"| We Worked in the Bricks
| Jamale Davis | 2017 | Gut String Records |
| scope="row"| The Stroller
| Zaid Nasser | 2017 | Steeplechase |
| scope="row"| The Music of Frank Strozier
| Chris Byars | 2017 | Steeplechase |
| scope="row"| Play Luigi Grasso's Arrangements
| Joan Chamorro Octet | 2017 | Jazz To Jazz |
| scope="row"| Two Fives
| Chris Byars | 2015 | Steeplechase |
| scope="row"| The Music of Duke Jordan
| Chris Byars | 2014 | Steeplechase |
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Grasso, Pasquale}}
Category:People from Ariano Irpino
Category:Italian jazz guitarists
Category:21st-century Italian musicians
{{DEFAULTSORT:Grasso, Pasquale}}