Pasquale Grasso

[David B]

[David B]

[David B]

A significant part of Pasquale Grasso's set at Freight & Salvage in Berkley, CA, on 19th January has been uploaded to YouTube.

[David B]

[JazzIsGood]

This is the only player where I didn't like him at all at first, now I love his playing. WTF happened? Maybe I had no taste of wasn't ready for it? Lately I listen to Pasquale almost every day and I even bought his lessons online. When I first heard him I was thinking "too many notes, not enough melody." It was years ago. Did he improve in this area or was I just totally missing the boat?

[AllanAllen]

This is the only player where I didn't like him at all at first, now I love his playing. WTF happened? Maybe I had no taste of wasn't ready for it? Lately I listen to Pasquale almost every day and I even bought his lessons online. When I first heard him I was thinking "too many notes, not enough melody." It was years ago. Did he improve in this area or was I just totally missing the boat?

Acquired taste, I felt the same way about Joe Pass. I couldn’t tell what was happening and couldn’t hear the changes. It was all chords and noodling.

I feel like you have to be a musician to appreciate some of this music.

[Oscar67]

This is the only player where I didn't like him at all at first, now I love his playing. WTF happened? Maybe I had no taste of wasn't ready for it? Lately I listen to Pasquale almost every day and I even bought his lessons online. When I first heard him I was thinking "too many notes, not enough melody." It was years ago. Did he improve in this area or was I just totally missing the boat?

I’m still missing the boat. He’s unbelievably talented, that much is clear. But it doesn’t captivate me and I can only listen to him briefly. He inspires me on a different level: he has his own pianistic approach to the instrument, takes it to the n-th degree and doesn’t seem to care about anything else. I admire that.

[jumpnblues]

I'm truly amazed and in awe of Pasquale's skill and talent. But I have to admit I'm sad that I don't have enough years remaining on this earth to ascend to his level. I think I can be pretty good in a couple/few more years...but not outstanding like Pasquale. So I'll just have to get my kicks from the journey. Still, a lot of fun to be had.

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

I’m still missing the boat. He’s unbelievably talented, that much is clear. But it doesn’t captivate me and I can only listen to him briefly. He inspires me on a different level: he has his own pianistic approach to the instrument, takes it to the n-th degree and doesn’t seem to care about anything else. I admire that.

Have you listened to his more laid back accompaniment of Samara Joy?

[David B]

A couple of recent performances from YouTube that reward a full watch.

Pasquale Grasso, Luigi Grasso and Peter Bernstein guesting at Frank Vignola's Guitar Night at Birdland, 15 May 2024.

I was in NYC but at a wedding that night! I did however make it to Mezzrow the following Monday night for Pasquale's weekly 10.30pm and midnight sets, with Luigi guesting on his last night in NYC before returning to Hamburg. The quartet of Pasquale Luigi, Ari Roland and Keith Balla included a number of Luigi's originals across their two sets.