Biography
RICK GERMANSON has been a highly in-demand pianist on the New York City Jazz scene for over a decade. A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rick moved to New York City on the heels of winning the GRAND PRIZE at The American Pianists’ Association Jazz Piano Competition in 1996. His accomplishments have garnered much adoration from the media and led to him being chosen as Best of New Talent in 2004 by All About Jazz NYC.
THE RICK GERMANSON TRIO has performed at Smoke, Smalls, The Kitano and Fat Cat in N.Y.C., Blues Alley in D.C., The Indianapolis Jazz Festival and The Artists’ Quarter in Minneapolis. Rick has three recordings out as a leader. Two on Fresh Sound New Talent: “HEIGHTS” (FSNT 155, 2003) and “YOU TELL ME” (FSNT 217, 2005). And one on Owl Studios “OFF THE CUFF” (OWL 2009) which reached #15 on the Jazz Radio Play Charts. Both Downbeat and JazzTimes magazines have given Rick’s recordings rave reviews. Rick has also been documented on over two dozen sessions as a sideman with many of the top musicians in jazz today.
Since 2001 to the present, Rick has been touring and recording with The Cannonball Legacy Band featuring Louis Hayes (the original drummer of the Cannonball Adderley Quintet). From 2003-2008 Rick toured with the legendary guitarist Pat Martino. Rick is also currently the U.S. touring pianist with bassist Kyle Eastwood and Papo Vazquez Pirates Troubadours Rick has toured throughout the world, performing at many of the top jazz festivals, concert halls and clubs with the following jazz artists: Elvin Jones’ Jazz Machine; Regina Carter; Russell Malone; George Coleman; Tom Harrell; Slide Hampton; Frank Morgan; Eric Alexander; Frank Lacy; Marlena Shaw; Kevin Mohagany; Grady Tate; Dr. Eddie Henderson; Steve Davis; Donald Harrison; Brian Lynch; Jeremy Pelt; Jim Rotondi; Duane Eubanks; Charles McPherson, Charles Davis; Craig Handy; Cecil Payne; Gerald Cannon; Carolyn Leonhart and Mingus Dynasty Big Band among others.
Rick is also an experienced educator, having given clinics and master classes at such institutes as New York University; The Julliard School; Jazz at Lincoln Center Outreach Program; New Jersey Performing Arts Center Jazz for Teens Program; The Jazz Standard Jazz Discovery Program; McNally-Smith College of Music in St. Paul, MN.