Ron Oswanski, a Manhattan School of Music graduate, has performed with some of the most renowned musicians in jazz and contemporary music including: Dave Samuels, Maynard Ferguson, Jack Wilkins, Maria Schneider, Milt Hinton, Sheryl Bailey Trio, Jason Marshall, Tim Ries & The Rolling Stones Project, Ira Sullivan, John Corbett Band, Dave Bergers Sultans of Swing, The Temptations, and Aretha Franklin just to name a few. His touring credits include: world tours with Maynard Ferguson's Big Bop Nouveau, and national touring with Blood, Sweat, and Tears. Also an accomplished composer; two of Ron’s compositions on Maynard Ferguson’s Brass Attitude album received praise in TIME magazine, Jazz Times and Wind Player magazine. Ron's first solo project, produced by Tim Ries, is scheduled be released in late 2009.
Ron's achievements were first recognized at a national level while in high school when he gained awards from IAJEs (International Association of Jazz Educators) Arts & Young Talent Search, through Downbeat Magazine and at MusicFest USA in Philadelphia. A seat on the first national McDonalds All American Jazz Ensemble, which was capped by a nomination for the first ever Student Grammy. Closer to home, Ron won in Detroit at WJRs National Quest for Excellence Music Contest and numerous top awards at many University sponsored jazz festivals including Ohio State, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, and Cincinnati. After graduating Whitmer High School in 1992, Ron moved to New York City to attend the Manhattan School of Music on scholarship, where he received a Baccalaureate Degree in Performance (music) in 1996. Shortly after moving to New York at the age of 18, Ron was asked to tour with Maynard Ferguson.
For the next six years Ron would tour off and on with Maynard and his Big Bop Nouveau.His television credits with Maynard include an appearance on the Crook and Chase Show, and a Ramsey Lewis BET special which still aires in 2006. Live video recordings are available from Liverkuson and Jakarta. Rons recording credits include two recordings for Concord Records with Maynard Ferguson and Big Bop Nouveau: These Cats Can Swing (1995 release), and Brass Attitude (1998 release). He was featured several times on both recordings playing piano, keyboards, and the Hammond B-3.
As a freelance artist in the NYC area you'll find him on many new releases in all styles of music. As alive is his active performing career, Ron Oswanski's talent as a composer has also received noteworthy attention because of his distinctive sound and style. Two of his compositions, Milk of the Moon and Misra-Dhenuka (co-written with Maynard) were featured on Brass Attitude. TIME magazine called both compositions exciting and coined Milk of the Moon a lovely ballad. Concerning Milk of the Moon (listen to Milk of the Moon here), Maynard Ferguson says, this contemporary approach of subtlety, colors, and beauty have hints of the writing of Gil Evans. Ron also received praise in Jazz Times and Wind Player magazine.
Along with performing as a pianist / accordionist Ron is quickly gaining notoriety as a Hammond B3 player. Once again, able to hang in any situation, you shouldn't be surprised to see him in a progressive jazz ensemble in a NYC club one evening and a country band the next. His current projects include collaborations with the Dan Willis Band, Carl Fischer's Organic Groove Project, and Jeff Barone, to name a few.
Awards:
Downbeat, Young Arts and Recognition, Yamaha performing artist, nominated for 1st ever "Student Grammy Award", Grammy Nominated performance / CD
Equipment:
Hammond B3, Leslie's, Nord C1, Korg BX3, Excelsior Accordions (old tone chambered ones), Korg Keyboards
