BIOGRAPHY
A Life In Jazz
The jazz piano artistry of Tony Pacini has been enthusiastically enjoyed by nightclub and festival audiences throughout the West coast as well as in his hometown of Portland, Oregon.
Born in Tokyo, Japan (May, 1970), while his father, (a consummate musician) was on the road at the time; pianist Tony Pacini came to Portland, Oregon as an infant. Tony's exposure to music began at an early age, having the added benefits of growing up in a musical family including three uncles, two aunts and a father all of whom were experienced professional musicians. A piano student since age 5, Tony led his first trio as a teenager, holding down weekends at a popular jazz spot.
The piano made higher education possible for Tony, including study at Boston's prestigious Berklee College Of Music, courtesy of a all-tuition paid scholarship from world reknown jazz author/critic, Leonard Feather. (Leonard Feather Wikipedia)
Upon returning to Portland Tony immersed himself in the jazz scene performing with, most notably: Leroy Vinnegar, Antonio Hart, Bill Henderson, Bud Shank, Benny Golson, Byron Stripling, Carl Sanders, Chuck Israels, Chuck Redd, Claudio Roditi, Curtis Fuller, Dan Faehnle, Hadley Calliman, Harry Allen, Marlena Shaw, Mary Stallings, Mel Brown, Ritchie Cole, Ron Steen, Nancy King and Rebecca Kilgore.
THE TRIO
Tony Pacini-piano, Ed Bennett-bass, Timothy Rap-drums.
THE TONY PACINI TRIO
The TONY PACINI TRIO has performed non-stop since 1999. Originally Pacini formed a band in 1987, but with a personnel change in 1999 (present), several albums, and countless nightclub and festival performances later, the current band has continued to enjoy success and bring jazz audiences abroad joy. The trio ( Ed Bennett on bass, and Timothy Rap on drums ) is a mainstay of piano trio jazz interpretation on the West coast, and their albums have become very popular in the Japanese jazz listening market since 2000.
On The Drums: Tim credits Billy Higgins' philosophy - "to play what the music calls for, no more no less", with shaping his thoughtful approach to the role of the drums in jazz. Tim's exceptional talent caught the ear of guitarist John Stowell, leading to performances with world class vocalists Nancy King, Shirley Nanette and jazz guitar icon Herb Ellis.
On The Bass: Long considered one of the West coast's first rate string bass players, Ed stepped onto the world stage in the 1970's, touring with jazz great Carmen McRae. Three recordings were produced during Ed's work with Carmen most notably the Grammy nominated "Live At The Great American Music Hall" on Blue Note Records, which also featured Joey Baron, Marshall Otwell and jazz giant Dizzy Gillespie.
In addition to leading the Tony Pacini Trio, Tony Pacini has been the pianist and musical director of the Mel Brown Quartet for nearly 20 years (as well as producer of the Mel Brown Quartet's release, "Live: An Evening With The Mel Brown Quartet"). Pacini also broadcasts as a jazz radio host Sunday afternoons 4:00pm-6:00pm Pacific Time (World Clock; UTC/GMT -7 hours) on K.M.H.D. 89.1fm Portland, OR. Stream KMHD online anywhere in the world at; http://www.opb.org/kmhd/
TONY PACINI HAS WORKED WITH:
- Saxophone players
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Anat Cohen, Antonio Hart, Benny Golson, Bobby Hernandez, Ben Fowler, Brian Dickerson, Bruce Babad, Bud Shank, Cheryl Alex, Dan Blunck, Dave Evans, Gary Harris, Geoff Fotland, Harry Allen, Hadley Calliman, Javon Jackson, John Gross, John Nastos, Kirt Petersen, Lee Wuthenow, Marc Fendel, Patrick Lamb, Paul Ostermeier, Pete Crislieb, Pete Peterson, Renato Corranto, Ritchie Cole, Rick Greene, Ricky Sweum, Rob Davis, Rob Scheps, Sam Schlickting, Steve Frierabandt, Tim Mayor, Warren Rand.
- Vocalists
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Annette Lowman, Barbara Lusch, Belinda Underwood, Bill Henderson, Carolyn Joyce, Dee Daniels, Eden Atwood, Elena Welsh, Ernie Andrews, Greta Matassa, Janis Mann, Jill Seifers, Kacy Colleen, Karrin Allyson, Marilyn Keller, Marlena Shaw, Mary Kadderly, Mary Stallings, Mia Nicholson, Mike Winkle, Mitzi Zilka, Nancy King, Ralph Black, Rebecca Kilgore, Robert Hicks, Shelly Rudolph, Shirley Nanette, Sonny Turner (The "Platters"), Steve March-Torme (Mel Torme's son), "Sweet Baby" James Benton, The Four Freshman, Terra Hurdle, Toni Lincoln, Victoria Corrigan.
- Trumpet players
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Bobby Shew, Bryant Allard, Carl Saunders, Claudio Roditi, Dick Titterington, Doc Sevrenson, Gary Barone, Irvin Mayfield Jr, Jeremy Pelt, Joe Magnarelli, John Morrell, Paul Mazzio, Terell Stafford, Thara Memory, Randy Brecker, Steve Cannon.
- Trombone players
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Cleve Williams, Curtis Fuller, Dave Bones, Jeff Usitalo, John Moak, Keller Coker, Stan Bock.
- Bassists
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Alvaro Criado, Andre St.James, Ben Jones, Ben Wolfe, Brad Herrit, Chuck Israels, Curtis Daily, Dan Presley, Dan Schulte, Dave Captein, David Friesen, Dylan Sundstrom, Ed Bennett, Essiet Okon Essiet, Frank Delarosa, Fred Shallanar, Jake Cot, Jennifer Vincent, Jim Fergusson, Jeff Hallam, Joey Seifers, Kate Davis, Ken Anoe, Kevin Dietz, Kim Clark, Leroy Vinegar, Matt Garrity, Matt Pavolka, Mike McGuirk, Paul Imm, Paul Unger, Phil Baker, Rob Thomas, Scott Steed, Tim Gilson, Tom Wakeling.
- Drummers
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Akbar DePriest, Alan Jones, Bernard Purdie, Bobby Torres, Brian Foxworth, Brian Jenkins, Carlton Jackson, Charlie Dogget, Chic Colburn, Chris Brown, Chris Hills, Chris Lee, Chuck Redd, Curtis Craft, Dave Averre, Dave Evans, Dave Weinstock, Dick Berk, Donny Osborn, Eric Powell, Gary Hobbs, Israel Anno, Jeff Cumpston, Jeff Evans, Kenny Johnson, Kevin Frazee, Lawrence Williams, Maria Joyner, Mark Aalto, Mel Brown, Neil Masson, Randy Givens, Rhinehardt Mels, Ron Steen, Steve Moretti, Tim Rap, Todd Strait, Tony Jefferson.
- Guitarists
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Dale Lawerence, Dan Balmer, Dan Faehnle, Dan Heck, Eli Reisman, Giacomo Gates, Jerry Hahn, John Keyser, John Stowell, John Butler, Matt Schiff, Mimi Fox, Norman Sylvestor, Paul Weeden, Ralph Pritikin, Stevie Zee.
- Vibraphonists
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Chuck Redd, Mark Sherman, Mike Horsfall.
