Mick Rossi, pianist, percussionist, composer, improvisor

Pianist, percussionist, composer and conductor Mick Rossi (currently touring with Philip Glass) is known in the Downtown scene and beyond.  He has performed and recorded with Alex Acuña, Steven Bernstein, Billy Drewes, Dave Douglas, Peter Erskine, Eric Friedlander, Vinny Golia, Eddie Gomez, Hall & Oates, Gerry Hemingway, Andy Laster, Carly Simon, Leo Smith, and Cuong Vu, among others. Performances include the Knitting Factory, Fringe, Singapore, and Montreux jazz festivals, and NPR's All Things Considered, the Metropolitan Opera, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Late Night with David Letterman.  Recent films include The Vagina Monologues (HBO) and the hit Standing in the Shadows of Motown.  His most two recent recordings are They Have a Word for Everything (Knitting Factory Works) and One Block from Planet Earth (OmniTone).

[Visit Mick's website.]

Russ Johnson, trumpeter, composer, improvisor

Trumpeter Russ Johnson is one of the most sought after performers in NY's "downtown" music scene.  In addition to leading his own groups and co-leading The Other Quartet, Russ has performed and recorded with a long list of musical heavyweights including Joe Lovano, Lee Konitz, Steve Swallow, Kenny Wheeler, Richie Beirach, Mark Ribot, David Liebman, Joe Maneri, The Jazz Passengers, Brad Shepik, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Charles Earland, Oliver Lake, Jim Black, Elvis Costello, Debbie Harry, Curtis Fowlkes, Roy Nathanson, Tony Malaby, Mat Maneri, and Jenny Scheinman.  Russ makes his recording debut as a leader on the upcoming Save Big (OmniTone).

[Visit Russ' website.]