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Michele Rosewoman

Michele Rosewoman Artist Bio "No other pianist-composer in jazz brings the music of the African diaspora together quite like Michele Rosewoman. Simply put, she's one of the most creative and fully realized jazz artists on the scene today.” CD NOW

Michele Rosewoman, a vanguard and pioneering artist in her field, creates a distinct musical experience by digging deep into her vast reservoir of acoustic modern jazz, sophisticated funk, dynamic electric fusion and elements of Cuban folkloric music. Her command and rich vocabulary elegantly expands the horizons and boundaries of jazz while remaining firmly rooted in tradition. With a more than 40-year history, Rosewoman stands out in her class as a visionary pianist, composer, educator, bandleader and gifted performer.

New Release

A 2015-16 Chamber Music America New Jazz Works Commission for her long-standing New Yor-Uba ensemble (1983 debut) supported the development of her latest exploration. The resulting new work, "Oru de Oro", is a rhythmic suite anchored to a sacred sequence of rhythms known as the Oru Igbodu, where 23 Orishas are endowed with Rosewoman's distinctive musical content while displaying and integrating the mastery of featured soloists and master drummers. Featuring master folkorist/percussionist Roman Diaz, a foundational member of the ensemble since 2008, "Oru de Oro'" was recorded along with other new repertoire and "Hallowed" was released on Rosewoman's label (Advance Dance Disques) on November 1st 2019, to stellar reviews in major publications including JazzTimes, JazzIz, Downbeat and #3 NPR Latin Jazz Recording of the Year.

Following their 2013 double disc release which celebrated 30 years and garnered the #1 NPR Latin Jazz Recording of the year award, "Hallowed" is a true continuation of Rosewoman’s in-depth exploration of sacred Afro- Cuban musical traditions and presents another exciting chapter in the now 36 -year evolution of this highly acclaimed ensemble

Rosewoman states: The deepening of my approach, knowledge, and relationship to this profound tradition that I am so completely bound to, prepared me on multiple levels to manifest this extended and most challenging composition. I am very grateful to Chamber Music America for supporting my evolution"

Michele Rosewoman's juggernaut ensemble ... superbly sets modern American avant-garde jazz inside sacred Afro-Cuban rhythms. Master percussionist Roman Diaz serves as the music's spiritual guiding light... Rosewoman's sterling piano-playing makes the music burst with such fresh aplomb, sounding simultaneouslu ancient and futuristic... while her estimable piano improvisations are in service of the music, instead of simply being an exhibitionist's showcase...Her restive, percussive playing is the secret ingredient, even as the horns dispense fragmented motifs that sometimes expand into harmonically striking, impressionistic accompaniments. But when the pianist's instrumental work comes more to the fore... the brilliance of her musicality shines all the more. Overall, it's Rosewoman, the superlative composer and bandleader, who reigns supreme on this near- flawless outing."Downbeat **** 1/2 John Murph

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6
Extended Analysis

A Celebration of Cuba in America

Read "A Celebration of Cuba in America" reviewed by Harry S. Pariser


Picking up a copy of Michele Rosewoman's New Yor-Uba , the high quality sleeve design and liner notes prepare one for the wonderful music to be found within. This extraordinary two-CD set has both a history and legacy behind it. Born in 1953 in Oakland, California, Rosewoman migrated to New York City more than three decades ago. Once there, she first connected with the musicians with whom she would eventually collaborate on this CD. The collaboration's first incarnation ...

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Album Review

Michele Rosewoman: The Inside Out

Read "The Inside Out" reviewed by Donald Elfman


As Michele Rosewoman and her Quintessence project evolve, the music continually reflects all the influences that have shaped this most intriguing composer and pianist. Take for example the opening minute of “The In Side Out . What sounds like a string section but is, in fact, electronics, leads to some appealingly complex writing for a frontline horn section--Mark Shim on tenor, Miguel Zenón on alto and Josh Roseman on trombone--that evanesces into view and then is gone. It promises more ...

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Interview

Michele Rosewoman: Wearing Her Passion With The In Side Out

Read "Michele Rosewoman: Wearing Her Passion With The In Side Out" reviewed by Tomas Pena


From Oakland CA, pianist/composer/educator Michele Rosewoman began playing piano at age six. Prior to moving to New York and while still in her late teens she began playing percussion and studied Cuban/Haitian folkloric idioms. In New York Rosewoman formed new ensembles, while nurturing associations with notable New York-based artists such as Julius Hemphill, Carlos Ward, Rufus Reid, Reggie Workman, Freddie Waits, James Spaulding and Billy Hart. In the Latin music genre, Rosewoman has performed with Cuban master drummer/vocalist Orlando “Puntilla" ...

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Album Review

Michele Rosewoman and Quintessence: The In Side Out

Read "The In Side Out" reviewed by Mark F. Turner


The In Side Out is stimulating, unpredictable, and groove-centric. Though Michele Rosewoman's recent involvements have included writing big band charts, performing solo piano at Yoshi's, working with Robin Eubanks' EB3 ensemble, duo concerts with Greg Osby and extensive educational activities including a two-day residency at Berklee School of Music, it's been six years since the pianist's last recording as a leader. Now the composer/bandleader is back with her evolving Quintessence ensemble--a quintet that has included forward thinkers ...

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Album Review

Michele Rosewoman: Guardians Of The Light

Read "Guardians Of The Light" reviewed by Mark Corroto


Pianist/composer Michele Rosewoman, born in Oakland, California, should be considered the West Cost Randy Weston. Like Sugar Hill's piano giant, she is steeped in African and Afro-Cuban music, but draws directly from Thelonious Monk and Charles Mingus. Rosewoman, an instructor at the New School, has become a New York resident and has fully adopted a New York sound. This, her seventh disc as leader and fourth with her band Quintessence, gives a good overview of her musical vision. Recorded live ...

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Performance / Tour

Michele Rosewoman's New Yor-Uba! at Dizzy's Club & More!

Michele Rosewoman's New Yor-Uba! at Dizzy's Club & More!

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

On the heals of the highly-acclaimed double CD set New Yor-Uba, Michele Rosewoman keeps the flame burning with a stretch of exciting performances! Try to keep up with this woman's energy, as she leads her evolving all-star ensemble on dates ranging from Jazz at Lincoln Center to the Kennedy Center! 2015 looks very promising for Ms. Rosewoman! PERSONNEL FOR UPCOMING DATES March 21 - The Egg - Albany Alex Norris: trumpet, flugelhorn Roman Filiu: alto and soprano saxophones ...

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Performance / Tour

Michele Rosewoman and New Yor-Uba Perform At The Painted Bride, April 13, 2013

Michele Rosewoman and New Yor-Uba Perform At The Painted Bride, April 13, 2013

Source: Seton Hawkins

Michele Rosewoman and New Yor-Uba celebrate the ensemble's 30th anniversary, and the successful funding of its debut CD via a Kickstarter campaign, with a performance at The Painted Bride in Philadelphia on Saturday, April 13, 2013. Over the past three decades, under Rosewoman's direction, New Yor-Uba's repertoire has deepened and evolved. New Yor-Uba premiered at Joseph Papp's Public Theatre in 1983, featuring the brilliant master folklorist Orlando 'Puntilla' Rios, and has since performed to delighted and sold-out crowds throughout Europe ...

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Performance / Tour

Michele Rosewoman And New Yor-Uba Perform At Roulette, April 5, 2013

Michele Rosewoman And New Yor-Uba Perform At Roulette, April 5, 2013

Source: Seton Hawkins

Michele Rosewoman and New Yor-Uba celebrate the ensemble's 30th anniversary, and the successful funding of its debut CD via a Kickstarter campaign, with a performance at Roulette in Brooklyn on Friday, April 5, 2013. Over the past three decades, under Rosewoman's direction, New Yor-Uba's repertoire has deepened and evolved. New Yor-Uba premiered at Joseph Papp's Public Theatre in 1983, featuring the brilliant master folklorist Orlando 'Puntilla' Rios, and has since performed to delighted and sold-out crowds throughout Europe and the ...

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Performance / Tour

Michele Rosewoman Trio With Special Guest Julian Priester At The Healdsburg Jazz Festival, June 8, 2012

Michele Rosewoman Trio With Special Guest Julian Priester At The Healdsburg Jazz Festival, June 8, 2012

Source: Seton Hawkins

On June 8, 2012 at 9:00 p.m., the pianist/composer Michele Rosewoman leads her trio, featuring bassist Andy McKee and drummer Billy Hart, with special guest trombonist Julian Priester, in a concert at the Healdsburg Jazz Festival, performing a selection of original works by Rosewoman and by Priester. Hailed by AllAboutJazz.com as a “propulsive bandleader [who] guides the listeners and the players on a most seductive journey," Michele Rosewoman has made her mark in the jazz world by fusing Afro-Cuban influences ...

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Performance / Tour

Michele Rosewoman Trio at Trumpets Jazz Club, 1-14-2012

Michele Rosewoman Trio at Trumpets Jazz Club, 1-14-2012

Source: Seton Hawkins

On Saturday, January 14, 2012, the pianist/composer Michele Rosewoman leads a trio, featuring bassist Andy McKee and drummer Billy Hart, in an evening of Tradition on the Edge at Trumpets Jazz Club in Montclair, New Jersey. See below for full event details. About the Artists: Hailed by AllAboutJazz.com as a “propulsive bandleader [who] guides the listeners and the players on a most seductive journey," Michele Rosewoman has made her mark in the jazz world by fusing Afro-Cuban influences with intelligent ...

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Performance / Tour

Michele Rosewoman Trio Perform at Brooklyn College, March 31, 2011

Michele Rosewoman Trio Perform at Brooklyn College, March 31, 2011

Source: Seton Hawkins

On Thursday, March 31, 2011, pianist, composer and bandleader Michele Rosewoman presents her trio, featuring Brad Jones on bass and Gene Jackson on drums, in a concert at Brooklyn College. The event, entitled After Silence: The Art of Improvisation, will be recorded for broadcast on CUNY TV (Channel 75). Michele Rosewoman has made her mark in the jazz world as a highly original artist, fusing Afro-Cuban influences with intelligent and modern post-bop. Throughout her varied career, Michele has performed with ...

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Performance / Tour

Michele Rosewoman's New Yor-Uba featuring Pedro Matinez in "A Musical Celebration of Cuba in America," Saturday October 23rd at the Painted Bride (Philadelphia)

Michele Rosewoman's New Yor-Uba featuring Pedro Matinez in "A Musical Celebration of Cuba in America," Saturday October 23rd at the Painted Bride (Philadelphia)

Source: Michael Ricci

"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 Painted Bride's Jazz on Vine series in association with Habana | Harlem presents world-renowned pianist-composer Michele Rosewoman's New Yor-Uba ensemble: A Musical Celebration of Cuba in America—a 10-piece ensemble including featured member, Grammy-nominated Pedro Pablo Martinez alongside fellow masters from the contemporary jazz and Cuban folkloric scenes. The performance takes place ...

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Radio

Michele Rosewoman Interviewed on WKCR, September 15, 2010

Michele Rosewoman Interviewed on WKCR, September 15, 2010

Source: Seton Hawkins

On September 15, 2010 WKCR-FM will interview Michele Rosewoman and broadcast rare live recordings of her performances at the now-legendary venue Soundscape. The venue emerged as a vital part of the city's live music spectrum thirty years ago, as the brainchild of music producer Verna Gillis and her late husband, sculptor Bradford Graves. Soundscape served as the first New York venue to present Michele as a leader, and also proved a vital location for the further development of her unique ...

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Performance / Tour

Michele Rosewoman and New Yor-Uba Perform at The Painted Bride, October 23, 2010

Michele Rosewoman and New Yor-Uba Perform at The Painted Bride, October 23, 2010

Source: Seton Hawkins

Pianist, composer, and bandleader Michele Rosewoman leads her New Yor- Uba ensemble in a performance at The Painted Bride in Philadelphia on Saturday, October 23, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. Michele Rosewoman has made her mark in the jazz world as a highly original artist, fusing Afro- Cuban influences with intelligent and modern post- bop. Throughout her varied career, Michele has performed with such jazz luminaries as Julian Priester, Oliver Lake, Reggie Workman, and with Celia Cruz, Paquito D'Rivera, and Orlando ...

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Performance / Tour

Michele Rosewoman Performs at Symphony Space, June 4-5, 2010

Michele Rosewoman Performs at Symphony Space, June 4-5, 2010

Source: Michael Ricci

On Friday, June 4 and Saturday, June 5, Arturo O'Farrill's Afro Latin Jazz Alliance gives the New York premiere of pianist/composer Michele Rosewoman's “Big Bad" at Symphony Space as part of “Musica Nueva 3: Latin Jazz Across the Americas."

“Musica Nueva 3: Latin Jazz Across the Americas" showcases new works from composers throughout the Americas, including world premieres, part of the ongoing commitment of Symphony Space and the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance to new music through the Sonidos de Colores ...

Primary Instrument

Piano

Location

New York City

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

Summary of Qualifications

Thirty years diverse professional experience performing and recording

Extensive experience as enesmble leader, organizing and leading ensembles ranging from trio to 15-piece

Thirty years experience writing and arranging for standard and non-standard ensembles, including percussion-based ensembles and full orchestra

Twenty-six years teaching experience providing master classes, ensemble classes, vocal workshops, individual and group instruction in piano technique, theory and composition

Recipient of numerous grants and honors as a composer and performer

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

A Celebration of Cuba...

Advance Dance Disques
2013

buy

New Yor-Uba

Bohemian Nights at NewWestFest
2013

buy

The In Side Out

Advance Dance Disques
2006

buy

Spirit

Enja Records
1996

buy

Quintessence

Enja Records
1994

buy

Warm

From: The In Side Out
By Michele Rosewoman

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