Organist Ron Oswanski - NYC Dates

Brian Wolfe - Drums
Carl Fischer - Tpt
Jay Azzolina - Guitar
Ron Oswanski - Organ

Live Wednesday September 10th - 7-9pm with Sheryl Bailey Trio at The 55 Bar:

Ian Froman - Drums
Sheryl Bailey - Guitar
Ron Oswanski - Organ

About Ron Oswanski

Ron Oswanski, a Toledo native, is still moving musicians and audiences alike with the innate sensitivity and creativity in his playing, and, more recently, his compositions. Ron has performed with some of the most renowned musicians in jazz and contemporary music including: Randy Brecker, Maynard Ferguson, Tom Garling, Joel Frahm, Hans Glawischnig, Dave Samuels, Marko Marcinko, Bill Mobley, Jack Wilkins, Milt Hinton, Butch Miles, Rick Margitza, Tim Ries, Ernie Krivda, Ira Sullivan, John Corbett Band, Dave Berger's Sultan's of Swing, and Aretha Franklin. He has done several world tours with Maynard Fergusons Big Bop Nouveau, and national touring with Blood, Sweat, and Tears.

Rons parents recognized their sons exceptional talent for music at a young age. From an early age, Ron began winning competitions and playing with his fathers Polka band, The Music Factory. He also began jazz studies under pianist Mark Kieswetter. Freshman year of high school marked Rons first appearance on the Toledo jazz scene. Throughout high school he played with many established tri-state area musicians sharpening his musical skills and techniques, along with gaining important professional experience. Ramona Collins, Jimmy Cook, Ray Parker, Bob Rex, Gene Parker, Paul Keller, Ernie Krivda, and Brad Sharp are just a few of the many that took the young musician under their wings.In high school, Ron even shared the stage with Toledo's Jazz Piano fixture Eddie Abrams but giging with Eddie on piano and himself on electric bass. Playing bass and hearing his early organ hero “Bill Heid" are the reason's he gives for such a current interest in the hammond B3.

Rons 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 Oswanskis 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.