Pasquale Grasso

"Pasquale Grasso is the best guitarist I've ever heard in my life." – Pat Metheny

Born in Italy and now based in New York City, the 30-year-old guitarist has developed an astounding technique and concept informed not so much by jazz guitarists as by bebop pioneers like Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. His new digital-only EP series showcases Grasso in the solo-guitar format, where his intensive studies of both midcentury jazz and classical music meld into a signature mastery that is, remarkably, at once unprecedented and evocative.

In his interview for Vintage Guitar magazine’s February 2016 cover story, Pat Metheny was asked to name some younger musicians who had impressed him: “The best guitar player I’ve heard in maybe my entire life is floating around now, Pasquale Grasso,” said the jazz-guitar icon and NEA Jazz Master. As he’s done with many rising jazz stars, Metheny later invited Grasso over to his New York pad to jam and share some wisdom. He’s since become a generous presence in Grasso’s life, and his assessment of Grasso’s playing is—no surprise—spot-on.

On his initial Sony Masterworks recordings, Pasquale explores standards, ballads, and the repertoire of Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell and Charlie Parker, showcasing his sweeping abilities in the most intimate possible setting. In 2012, the same year that Pasquale toured extensively as a Jazz Ambassador on behalf of the U.S. Embassy, the guitarist relocated to New York. He hit the scene running, soon enough becoming part of working bands led by Ari Roland and Chris Byars, and settling into a regular gig with the late, great saxophonist Charles Davis. Grasso has also performed with Freddie Redd, Frank Wess, Leroy Williams, Ray Drummond and Steve Grossman—to name but a few!

Pasquale Grasso – g; Mathias Allamane – b; Jason Brown – dr.

Admission – presale: seating CZK 500, standing CZK 350, at the door: seating CZK 600, standing CZK 400. There is no need to reserve a seat when purchasing a seating ticket. No club discounts. Thank you for understanding.

Band website: www.pasqualegrasso.com