MUSICIANS

“The music of Marc Rossi is intensely expressive. He uses the greatest diversity of means from the melodic lyricism of his String Quartet #1, to the orchestral grandeur of Negru Voda to the evocative sonorities of Three Jazz Sutras to produce consistently compelling music of haunting beauty and striking originality.”—Jeffrey Jacob, pianist

"Surely Marc Rossi has made significant enough strides to begin to rank him amongst the most accomplished and prolific American composers of his generation. This is represented by a steadily growing catalogue of recorded works along with very important achievements as an improviser, performer, composer, and teacher." —William Thomas McKinley

"Marc Rossi's music shines like a beacon."––George Russell

"I performed with Marc on a number of gigs. I found his compositions to be haunting, lyrical and passionate, and audiences responded to them."—Lewis Porter

[top]

REVIEWS

“Marc Rossi is one of the dynamic few whose musical and cultural awareness travels exponentially in many different directions, expanding his personal universe. His piano and writing for professional ensembles of composers/NEC educators Jimmy Guiffre (quartet) and George Russell (Living Time Orchestra), as well as for his own neo-fusion sextet the Marc Rossi Group (MRC, formerly Solaris), and the world-beat band Ascension, have shown skill, depth, heart a sense of adventure, and attempts to form a fresh vernacular.”—Fred Bouchard, DownBeat

“Associate Professor Marc Rossi doesn’t see diverse music styles fitting neatly into compartments. A pianist and composer, he freely moves between musical genres running the gamut from jazz and fusion to classical and non-Western music.”—Berklee Today

“Using [George Russell’s Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization] as a point of departure, [Ben Schwendener and Marc Rossi] combine talents to yield a product that exists somewhere between the Second Viennese School and post bop—cerebral, but elegant; moving from bare lines to rich, expansive harmonies.”—SoundTracks Column, newmusicbox.org

“…while Boston, MA based pianists Marc Rossi and Ben Schwendener may not represent household names, [Living Geometry] recorded live at a concert hall in Cambridge, MA, hits the mark in a variety of ways…Rossi and Schwendener concoct subtle melodies in concert with alternating statements while utilizing Russell’s now infamous harmonic language as a core framework…this is a very special endeavor, marked by the contrasting tonalities of their grand pianos and mutual comprehension of what needed to be accomplished. A beautiful affair it is! (A top pick for 2002).”—Modern Jazz Editor’s Monthly Pick (September 2002), allaboutjazz.com

“Keyboardist Marc Rossi’s quintet shows throughout We Must Continue that there is still life to be found in fusion. Even with the constant evolution of keyboards during the last decade (this disc was recorded back in 1988), the spirited music on Marc Rossi’s CD still sounds fresh and the chance taking explorations have plenty of exciting moments. This enjoyable set is easily recommended to listeners who are not afraid of the sound of fusion.”—Scott Yanow, LA Jazz Scene

“Leader, composer and keyboardist Marc Rossi has released a debut album which is second to none. He holds a long list of credentials from all facets of the music industry. Jazz fans around the world are sure to be talking about this great new release. Be sure to check it out!”—Morrice’s Jazz CD Review (now jazzreview.com)

“With his debut recording as a leader, composer/keyboardist Marc Rossi offers sophisticated, original compositions energized by improvisation and the rhythms of a wide spectrum of popular and world musics. Rossi brings all his experiences and influences into vibrant interplay on We Must Continue.”—New England Entertainment Digest

“Rossi has been building a reputation playing in truly diverse musical environs, from NuClassix and the Jimmy Guiffre 4 to Stan Strickland and Ascension and George Russell’s Living Time Orchestra. His music is full of surprises.”—Bob Young, Boston Herald

“Stan Strickland’s Ascension, the electric sextet propelled by the keyboards and writing of Marc Rossi, remains a spirited forum that allows him room for some riskier blowing on saxes and flute while maintaining audience-friendly soul and world beat rhythms.”—Bob Blumenthal, Boston Globe

“['Negru Voda'] is lushly orchestrated and lyrically pensive, tinged with jazz harmony…by its end I was moved.”—Fanfare

“Rossi has never been someone of one-dimensional interests. The list of both jazz and classical compositions he has written is long and impressive.”—David Wildman, Boston Globe

“['Blue Solomon: A Song of Songs’] triparite format teems with energetic abandon and shows an engaging directness of speech.”—David Cleary, 21st Century Music

home | upcoming events | discography | biography | press/quotes | premieres | about | photo gallery | resources/links | media page | mailing list | contact

© 2003 Marc Rossi • All Rights Reserved • Site Design by Riparius Productions