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Pasquale Grasso

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Pasquale Grasso’s eloquent classical technique, jazz phrasing, bebop rhythms, and nimble fret musings have distinguished him as a celebrated 21st century virtuoso, culminating in his latest effort Solo Ballads. Set for April 9 as a digital only release, Grasso augments his repertoire again with five freshly minted tracks culminating in an expanded edition of his 2020 EP Solo Ballads, Vol. 1. The 10 combined songs represent the first installment of an eventual three-part album series set for release in 2021-2022. 

 

“I chose songs I’ve performed for my whole life. They’re my favorite ballads, and they remind me of my childhood. I’ve got a personal story related to each one,” says Grasso. With five previously-unreleased tracks, Grasso introduces Solo Ballads with an intimate interpretation of the standard “When I Fall In Love.” His pronounced plucking places the arpeggio at the forefront before carrying the instantly recognizable melody—popularized by Natalie Cole and Nat King Cole—with nothing more than his guitar.

 

“I’ve always been a romantic,” he smiles. “I’m a Southern Italian, and I grew up watching my parents in love for more than forty years. I tried to add more classical guitar to the melody. The song is beautiful, and it reminds me of what it means to be in love.”

 

Meanwhile, “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” hangs on a deft and dynamic lead punctuated by fascinating moments of improvisation as notes ring out with emotion. “When I recorded it, it was a very sad time because my girlfriend’s grandmother died, and it was her favorite song. Every time I saw her, she asked me to play it. On the album, I dedicated ‘Smoke Gets In Your Eyes’ to her,” Grasso says.

 

On its heels, Grasso will celebrate the legacy of Duke Ellington with Pasquale Plays Duke.  This forthcoming release has the musician reimagining five Duke Ellington classics on solo guitar, alongside several additional tracks recorded with longtime collaborators bassist Ari Roland and drummer Keith Balla. To be released in late summer, the album will feature some of Ellington’s most-cherished masterpieces including “Sophisticated Lady,” “Prelude to a Kiss,” “It Don’t Mean a Thing” and “Cotton Tail,” with guest vocalists Sheila Jordan and Samara Joy making appearances on “Mood Indigo” and “Solitude,” respectively.

 

Further down the line and expected to be released early in 2022, Pasquale, Roland and Balla will join forces once again, this time to put their spin on a Bebop-era tracks popularized by the likes of Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Horace Silver, Clifford Brown, and more.

 

Whether he’s by himself, as part of a band, on stage, or on a livestream, Pasquale Grasso’s goal ultimately remains the same, shining on each and every effort. “I always want people to just enjoy what I’m doing. Put the recording on and drink a glass of wine. It might be relaxing or help you concentrate. I just hope you forget about the world for a minute and enjoy yourself,” says Grasso.

 

Artist Bio

Long before earning the endorsement of everyone from The New Yorker to jazz guitar god Pat Metheny and recording a series of solo EPs and albums for Sony Music Masterworks, Pasquale Grasso grew up in this quaint and quiet Italian town of Ariano Irpino. At six-years-old, Pasquale developed a bond with his guitar that ignited an unbelievable journey from the Italian countryside to international renown. After attending the Conservatory of Bologna, the U.S. Embassy enlisted him as its Jazz Ambassador. He embedded himself in New York City’s jazz community through a standing gig with late iconic saxophonist Charles Davis. Among many standout performances, he won the 2015 Wes Montgomery International Jazz Guitar Competition and shared the stage with Pat Martino’s organ trio. In 2018, he appeared at the NEA Jazz Masters Tribute Concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., delivering a show-stopping homage to honor Pat Metheny who christened him “The best guitar player I’ve heard in maybe my entire life.Signing to Sony Music Masterworks, he kicked off his solo EP/album series in 2019 with Solo Standards, Vol. 1, Solo Ballads, Vol. 1, Solo Monk, and Solo Holiday. His momentum continued in 2020 with yet another string of solo releases Solo Bird, Solo Masterpieces, Solo Standards, and Solo Bud Powell, earning the praise of The New Yorker, who wrote, “Pasquale Grasso can play guitar like ringing a bell.”  He capped off 2020 by accompanying actress and singer Laura Benanti on her self-titled solo debut, joining the Tony® Award winner during her entrancing performance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.  His eloquent classical technique, jazz phrasing, bebop rhythms, and nimble fret fireworks have distinguished him as a celebrated 21st century virtuoso. In 2021, he expands his repertoire once again with Solo Ballads, an expanded edition of his 2020 EP Solo Ballads, Vol. 1 and the first installment of an eventual three-part album series set for release in 2021-2022.

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  • Jazz Guitar Virtuoso Pasquale Grasso Celebrates the Release of “Be-Bop!” @ Dizzy’s Club on August 22 - GIG ALERT: Guitar Virtuoso Pasquale Grasso Celebrates the Release of Be-Bop! at Dizzy’s Club on August 22 Performances at 7:30 and 9:30PM Tickets Available Online Grasso Pays Tribute to Bird and Diz on His New Album, Be-Bop!, which Includes “A Night in Tunisia,” “Shaw ‘Nuff,” “Ruby, My Dear,” “Quasimodo” and “I’m in a Mess,” Featuring…
  • GIG ALERT: Jazz Guitar Virtuoso Pasquale Grasso Performs with Singer Samara Joy in Denver on August 5 - Guitar Virtuoso Pasquale Grasso Performs with Rising Star Vocalist Samara Joy at Dazzle on August 5 Tickets Available Online Grasso Pays Tribute to Bird and Diz on His New Album, Be-Bop!, which Includes “A Night in Tunisia,” “Shaw ‘Nuff,” “Ruby, My Dear,” “Quasimodo” and “I’m in a Mess,” Featuring Samara Joy Out Now Guitar virtuoso Pasquale…
  • Pasquale Grasso | “Be-Bop!” | Available Today via Sony Music Masterworks - Guitar Virtuoso Pasquale Grasso Pays Tribute to Bird and Diz on Be-Bop! Out Now New Album Includes “A Night in Tunisia,” “Shaw ‘Nuff,” “Ruby, My Dear,” “Quasimodo” and “I’m in a Mess,” Featuring Rising Star Samara Joy on Vocals U.S. & European Tour Dates Announced (June 17, 2022 – New York, NY) Following the extraordinary success of…
  • Pasquale Grasso | “Be-Bop!” | Available June 17 via Sony Music Masterworks - Guitar Virtuoso Pasquale Grasso Pays Tribute to Bird and Diz on Be-Bop! Available June 17 on Sony Music Masterworks | Pre-Order Now New Single “A Night in Tunisia” Out Today | Listen Here U.S. & European Tour Dates Announced ALBUM ARTWORK: DOWNLOAD Following the extraordinary success of guitar virtuoso Pasquale Grasso’s digital showcase series, which launched in 2019 and includes Solo Standards, Solo…
  • AVAILABLE NOW: Pasquale Grasso | “Pasquale Plays Duke” | Sony Music Masterworks - Guitar Virtuoso PASQUALE GRASSO Celebrates the Legacy of Duke Ellington on Pasquale Plays Duke Out Now Special Guests Sheila Jordan and Samara Joy  Join Bassist Ari Roland and Drummer Keith Balla New Video “Solitude (feat. Samara Joy)” Listen Here | Watch Here Stream Tracks from Pasquale Plays Duke Access to this music is for media use only. This link…
  • Pasquale Grasso | “Pasquale Plays Duke” | Available September 17 via Sony Music Masterworks - Guitar Virtuoso PASQUALE GRASSO Celebrates the Legacy of Duke Ellington on Pasquale Plays Duke Available on September 17 – Pre-Order Now Special Guests Sheila Jordan and Samara Joy  Join Bassist Ari Roland and Drummer Keith Balla New Single and Video “It Don’t Mean a Thing” Out Today Listen Here Watch the Video Premiere on JazzTimes   Stream Tracks…
  • AVAILABLE NOW: Pasquale Grasso | “Solo Ballads” | Sony Music Masterworks -   Guitar Virtuoso Pasquale Grasso Releases Solo Ballads, the First Installment of a New Three-Part Series on Sony Music Masterworks Pasquale Grasso’s eloquent classical technique, jazz phrasing, bebop rhythms, and nimble fret musings have distinguished him as a celebrated 21st century virtuoso, culminating in his latest effort Solo Ballads. A digital only release, Grasso augments his repertoire again…
  • Pasquale Grasso | “Solo Ballads” | Available April 9 via Sony Music Masterworks - Guitar Virtuoso Pasquale Grasso set to Release Solo Ballads, the First Installment of a New Three-Part Series on Sony Music Masterworks   Stream the First Track “When I Fall In Love” and Pre-Order the Album HERE Pasquale Grasso’s eloquent classical technique, jazz phrasing, bebop rhythms, and nimble fret musings have distinguished him as a celebrated 21st century virtuoso,…
  • Virtuosic Guitarist Pasquale Grasso Presents Expanded Edition of “Solo Standards” - Virtuosic Guitarist Pasquale Grasso Presents  Expanded Edition of Critically Acclaimed  Digital EP Solo Standards Vol. 1 Within Solo Standards Grasso Continues  to Meld Bebop and Classical Mastery with a  Series of Previously Unreleased Tracks Available Digitally on October 9 via Sony Masterworks   Sony Masterworks is proud to announce the newest installment in the critically acclaimed digital series from…
  • Guitarist Pasquale Grasso Presents “Solo Bird” Available via Sony Masterworks on August 21 - Critically Acclaimed Guitarist Pasquale Grasso Presents Charlie Parker Tribute, Solo Bird Available Digitally on August 21 Join Pasquale Grasso in a Special Celebration of  Solo Bird in a Solo and Trio Performance  Filmed Live at Birdland on August 25 Sony Masterworks is proud to announce the newest installment of guitar virtuoso Pasquale Grasso’s digital series: Solo Bird. 2020 marks the centennial…

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Pasquale Plays Duke

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Record Label:  Sony Music Masterworks
Release Date:  September 17, 2021