Two-time grammy nominated organist and winner of Downbeat
Magazine’s 2016 rising star poll Pat Bianchi, has established himself as one of
the principal organists on the scene today. His command of the instrument,
harmonic prowess, rhythmic intensity and versatility are rivaled by few. His
most recent release, A Higher Standard featuring Byron Landham and Craig Ebner,
exemplifies Bianchi's superiority and finesse in the organ trio setting,
bringing jazz standards to a completely 'higher' level. When Pat is not leading
his own trio, he performs regularly with jazz guitar icon, Pat Martino. Bianchi
also continues to perform with NEA Jazz Master and saxophone legend, Lou
Donaldson.
Bianchi, who comes
from a musically gifted family, began playing organ at the age of 7, after
receiving a Farfisa Compact Duo organ as a Christmas gift. His grandfathers
(Pat Bianchi – Saxophone and Richard Zona – Trumpet) along with his father
(Nick Bianchi – Drums) all working musicians, provided a great deal of support
and guidance early in his musical development. Recognizing Pat’s continuing
affinity for music, his parents enrolled him in classical piano study. While
still maintaining a strong interest in organ, he was playing his first
professional gigs by the age of 11, eventually performing with dance bands
around his hometown of Rochester, NY.
Bianchi’s interest shifted in his high school years as he
began to also focus on piano. Enrolling in The Eastman School of Music’s preparatory
program for piano and music theory, while being mentored by numerous musicians
in the Rochester jazz scene. Through a rich mentoring system, passion and
dedication, (also not being able to play left hand bass on a Spinet organ)
Bianchi taught himself to play bass lines solely with his foot pedals.
Upon graduating high school, Bianchi continued his studies
at Berklee College of Music in Boston and graduated in 1998 with a Bachelors of
Music in Jazz Piano Performance. Shortly after graduating cum laude, Bianchi
secured the position as the house pianist at the famous El Chapultepec club in
Denver, CO. The Pec (as it is known to locals) often brought in guest artists
giving Pat the opportunity to play with such greats as Red Holloway, Dakota
Staton, Carl Fontana, Javon Jackson, Mark Elf, Bud Shank, Brad Leali, Pete
Christlieb, and Conte Candoli. After being at the Pec for 6 nights a week for
almost 3 years, Pat became an important fixture on the Denver Jazz Scene.
At this time, Bianchi decided to focus exclusively on the
organ making his national debut as an organist, appearing on two recordings as
a member the Denver based organ trio, 3osity. The national release of Art of
The Jazz Organ Trio and the subsequent recording Tri-O-City brought Bianchi wider
recognition and onto a larger stage as a rising star of the organ.
Moving to NYC, Bianchi quickly established himself in the
competitive New York scene. At this time, legendary saxophonist Lou Donaldson
immediately took notice of the young organist.
Bianchi then joined the faculty of the University of
Colorado at Boulder Jazz Studies Program teaching piano, theory and ensembles
to undergraduate, masters and doctoral students. During this time he recorded
his first album as a leader, East Coast Roots, which features Mark Whitfield on
guitar and Byron Landham on drums. At the same time, Bianchi began working
closely with drummer Ralph Peterson Jr. on collaborative projects, including
and co-leading The Unity Project (a tribute to organist Larry Young and his
album Unity).
Bianchi returned to New York City in June of 2008, soon
after, he officially joined The Lou Donaldson’s quartet in 2009. Continuing to
play with Lou, Bianchi also joined Pat Martino’s working trio in 2011 while
taking on the responsibilities as musical director. Bianchi is featured on
numerous recordings such as Tim Warfield’s Sentimental Journey, a follow up to
Warfield’s recording One For Shirley (on which he also appears) as well as
guitarist Chuck Loeb’s release, Plain and Simple. At this time Bianchi also
continued to perform with drummer Ralph Peterson Jr., forging ahead with The
Unity Project. Bianchi was featured, recording much of this material on
Peterson’s CD Outer Reaches. Soon after Bianchi released his second recording
as a leader, Back Home. This recording features Terell Stafford, Ralph Peterson
Jr, Wayne Escoffery, Carmen Intorre Jr. and Gilad Hekselman.
While still actively performing with both Pat Martino and
Lou Donaldson, Bianchi not only continues to collaborate with many well known
musicians. His next album as a bandleader "Trios” will feature an array of
special guests including Pat Martino, Kevin Mahogany, Joe Locke, Peter
Bernstein, Paul Bollenback, Byron Landham, Carmen Intorre, Jr. will be released in 2018!
Website: https://www.patbianchi.com/home
