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Philip Rasmussen

About Me

Born in 1990, PJ Rasmussen entered a world where jazz seemed reserved more for intellectuals than real people. Picking up the guitar at age 10, he spent more time learning Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton than working his way through the Real Book. While his passion for rock and blues never waned, his eclectic taste and exploratory spirit never stopped looking for new music to learn; by high school he was practicing Joe Pass and Yardbird alongside Slowhand. He has never looked back, studying Jazz Performance at William Patterson University as well as with performers such as Bucky Pizzarelli, Paul Meyers, and Gene Bertoncini. These experiences have recently resulted in his Avionics EP, recorded with the PJ Rasmussen Quartet. The recording features Rasmussen’s bebop capabilities married to a bluesman’s aversion to the abstract, his sensitive touch and scorching runs shining in a group setting. The album also featured two original tunes, “Avionics” and “Waltz for Someone,” highlighting his abilities as composer. Rasmussen is also a capable solo performer, utilizing the full range of his seven-string guitar to create the illusion of an ensemble performance as well as in duo or trio performances, where he has played with Bucky Pizzarelli, Steve Laspina, and Jack Wilkins. PJ's ensembles have also shared the stage with such luminaries as Ben Allison, Mulgrew Miller, and Terell Stafford.