Michele Rosewoman

Female

New York, NY

United States

Profile Information:

What instrument do you play?

Piano, keyboards,percussion

Who influenced you to listen to jazz

My spiritual guides, my family and my environment in general.

How did you find out about the WDCJN?

I was sent an invitation to join by George V Johnson Jr.

My Website

http://www.michelerosewoman.com

Official Facebook Profile

http://www.facebook.com/michelerosewoman

Where are you located?

New York, New York

Tell us about yourself

New York-based Pianist/Composer Michele Rosewoman stands out in her class as a visionary pianist, bandleader, composer and performer and is especially known for her 'Quintessence' and 'New Yor-Uba' ensembles. For over two decades, she has deftly fused acoustic modern jazz, funk, electric fusion and elements of Cuban folkloric music to create a distinct musical experience.

Born in Oakland, California, Michele Rosewoman studied jazz with the great pianist/organist Ed Kelly. Early studies in percussion led her to avidly explore Cuban and Haitian folkloric idioms. She moved to New York in 1978 and throughout her career has performed with great musicians from both the jazz and Latin music worlds, including Jimmy Heath, Julian Priester, Gary Bartz, Julius Hemphill, Oliver Lake, Reggie Workman, Rufus Reid, James Spaulding, Freddie Waits, Billy Hart, Tootie Heath, Greg Osby, Gary Thomas, Steve Coleman, David Sanchez, Miguel Zenon, Robin Eubanks, Terri Lyne Carrington, Celia Cruz, Paquito D'Rivera, Cuban master Orlando ‘Puntilla’ Rios, Andy Gonzalez, Pedro Martinez and many others.

Rosewoman expands the horizons and boundaries of jazz while remaining firmly rooted in tradition. Her Quintessence ensemble, with 5 releases to date, brings together some of the most inventive voices in jazz while New Yor-Uba, with its uncompromised synthesis of contemporary jazz and traditional Cuban folkloric music, unites master musicians from both musical worlds. Many have cited the experience of playing within these contexts as notably influential in their own development as musicians, composers and bandleaders.

Ms Rosewoman's highly acclaimed trio recordings include Occasion to Rise (with Rufus Reid and Ralph Peterson) - voted one of the year’s best recordings by six critics’ polls, and Spirit, a live trio performance at the Montreal Jazz Festival, released on Blue Note Records to rave reviews.

Rosewoman has received great critical acclaim and prestigious awards; highlights include major support from the National Endowment for the Arts, Chamber Music America and an ASCAP/Meet the Composer Commission. She has performed with internationally-acclaimed orchestras and big bands featuring her compositions, and has presented her ensembles and original repertoire at festivals, colleges, concert halls and clubs and conducted educational workshops throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe.

"With delicate beauty and intensity, Michele's music bends the borders of cultures, not just notes. She has picked up a variety of torches and created a bonfire." JAZZIZ MAGAZINE

"In her playing and writing, Rosewoman is way past collecting influences. Simply put, she's one of the most creative and fully realized jazz artists on the scene today." CD NOW

"Rosewoman's writing is jubilant and architectonic. Fats Waller meets Anthony Braxton... a Monkish motif will give way to a pastoral swing episode a la Hank Jones. Rosewoman's melodies are as joyfully convoluted as Parker's." THE VILLAGE VOICE

"No other pianist-composer in jazz brings the music of the African diaspora together quite like Michele Rosewoman.... Rosewoman is way past collecting influences. Simply put, she's one of the most creative and fully realized jazz artists on the scenetoday." CD NOW

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