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Paul Asaro
Also well known to bandleaders as a strong and experienced ensemble pianist and accompanist, he has played with Jim Beebe's Chicago Jazz, Connie Jones' Classic Jazz All-Stars in New Orleans, drum great Barrett Deems' Big Band, Stan Kenton alum William Russo's Chicago Jazz Ensemble, and Doug Finke's Independence Hall Jazz Band.
Asaro has performed with such jazz luminaries and legends as Marian McPartland, Steve Allen, Leon Redbone, Jon Faddis, Jeff Healy, Jim Galloway, Dan Barrett, Jon-Erik Kellso, Duke Heitger, Brian Ogilvie, and Orange Kellin. He was featured as "The Professor" playing the music of Jelly Roll Morton along side Vernel Bagneris in the New York Off Broadway production and national tour of Jelly Roll! The Music and the Man. Starting in 1995, Asaro became house pianist aboard the legendary steamboat Mississippi Delta Queen, based in New Orleans. In 1998, he started a long run playing solo piano at "Julia's in Wallingford" in Seattle, WA. During 2000 and 2001 he toured with his own trio throughout the country, receiving rave reviews and producing two live CD's.
Currently Paul is based in the Chicago area and is touring regularly with Leon Redbone and as a much in demand soloist. Most recently he was featured on a taping at the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee for Jim Cullum's "Riverwalk Jazz" program on Public Radio, and at the Toronto du Maurier Jazz Festival and Essex, Connecticut "Hot Steamed Jazz Festival" playing two-piano duets with British Stride great, Neville Dickie.