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Russ Lossing
NYC-based pianist Russ Lossing is a creative powerhouse whose singular musical voice has electrified the international jazz scene for over 35 years.
About Me
RUSS LOSSING
Master of Musical Innovation and Improvisation
In the heart of New York City's vibrant jazz scene, Russ Lossing stands as a towering figure of creative brilliance—a pianist, composer, and improviser whose singular artistic voice has captivated audiences across the globe for over three decades. As the Village Voice aptly notes, he is “a gripping improviser, pulling ideas out of the air and nudging them into the action at hand as if they always belonged there.”
With an extraordinary catalog of over 400 original compositions and a discography spanning 26 albums as leader plus features on more than 60 collaborative recordings, Lossing has established himself as one of the most prolific and innovative forces in contemporary jazz and improvised music. Critics have recognized his unique position in the field, with France Musique observing that “among today's modern jazz pianists, Russ Lossing stands out as one of the artists who intelligently travels between jazz and contemporary music.”
A Legacy Forged at Jazz's Holy Grail
Lossing's artistic journey reached legendary heights through his 12-year collaboration with the iconic drummer Paul Motian, becoming an integral member of the Paul Motian Quintet. This partnership brought him to the hallowed stage of New York's Village Vanguard for week-long residencies, cementing his place among jazz's elite performers. As Jazz Times critic David Adler recalls, “I recall nights at the Vanguard with Paul Motian when Lossing brought the music to another level, displaying a formidable command of the tradition and a bristling originality.” Perhaps most tellingly, Motian himself declared, “I like the way Russ Lossing plays my music.”
A Global Musical Odyssey
From the smoky clubs of Manhattan to the grand concert halls of Europe, Lossing has commanded stages at the world's most prestigious venues and festivals. His performances have electrified audiences at legendary spots including The Village Vanguard, Blue Note NYC, Jazz Standard, Birdland, and Town Hall, while his international presence has graced renowned European venues like Vienna's Porgy and Bess, Amsterdam's BimHuis, Zurich's Moods, and Paris's Sunside & Duc de Lombards and Radio France.
His festival appearances read like a who's who of global jazz celebrations: London Jazz Festival, Vienna Jazz Festival, Harlem Jazz Festival, Switzerland's Cully Jazz Festival, France's Jazzdor in Strasbourg, Toronto Jazz Festival, and Italy's Venice Jazz Festival—each performance showcasing what JAZZMAN Magazine describes as his ability to “illuminate the silence, suspend the time, and intensify the collective flux. The wealth of his harmonic knowledge, the fluidity of his phrasing and his attention to the weight of every single note creates a sound palette for endless pleasures.”
A Discography of Distinction
Lossing's recording career spans multiple prestigious labels, demonstrating both artistic versatility and unwavering quality. His five releases on Switzerland's avant-garde HatHut Records and four albums on NYC's Sunnyside Records represent just the tip of his creative iceberg, with additional releases on Cleanfeed, Fresh Sound, Double Time, Steeplechase, Songs and OmniTone labels. His entrepreneurial spirit shines through Aqua Piazza Records, his own label featuring six distinctive albums that showcase his uncompromising artistic vision.
A Collaborator's Dream
The roster of world-class musicians who have sought out Lossing's unique talents reads like a jazz hall of fame. His collaborations span generations and styles, from legendary figures like John Abercrombie and Dave Liebman to contemporary innovators including Tim Berne, Tyshawn Sorey, Ralph Alessi, Tony Malaby, and Ellery Eskelin. Whether working with master bassists like Mark Helias, Michael Formanek, and Drew Gress, or dynamic drummers such as Billy Hart, Tom Rainey, and Nasheet Waits, Lossing brings his distinctive voice to every musical conversation.
Stylistically, as ICON Magazine notes, “Lossing is, simply, a 'space man'—like Thelonious Monk and Paul Bley, letting the spaces between notes do the talking.” This approach has earned him recognition as what All About Jazz calls “an iconoclast in the best sense of the word, a true innovator,” while the New York Times describes him as “an intrepid searcher with an end point in mind.”
The Continuing Revolution
After more than 35 years of pushing musical boundaries, Russ Lossing remains at the forefront of jazz innovation. His work continues to inspire fellow musicians and challenge audiences, with Downbeat Magazine noting that “Lossing shines as brightly as any of the jazz pioneers who preceded him in mapping out their own musical journeys.” As Jazziz Magazine puts it plainly: “Lossing is, plain and simple, a monster.”
In a world where musical trends come and go, Russ Lossing stands as a beacon of authentic expression—a master craftsman whose dedication to his art has created a body of work that will inspire musicians and music lovers for generations to come. Each performance, each composition, each recording adds another chapter to a remarkable story of creative fearlessness and musical mastery that defines what it means to be a true artist in the modern jazz landscape.
