Events Calendar

1531 Johnston St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3R9

Pat Metheny called Pasquale Grasso “the best guitar player I’ve heard in maybe my entire life.” It was the kind of endorsement most rising guitarists can only dream of, but what’s more impressive is that this exceptional player doesn’t sound like Metheny in the slightest. Nor does he follow in the paths of Scofield or Frisell. Born in Italy and now based in New York City, Grasso’s astounding pianistic technique is informed not by modern jazz guitarists, but by bebop pioneers like Bud Powell, Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie.

He’s brought his sparkling, immaculately balanced tone, tasteful tinges of stride and boogie-woogie, deft chordal harmony and stunning single-note runs to interplay with Samara Joy, Sheila Jordan, Ray Drummond, Steve Grossman, Grant Stewart, and—for this special performance—a trio featuring André Lachance and Andrew Millar. Lachance is one of the finest and busiest bassists in Vancouver, known for work with Peggy Lee Band, Brad Turner, Chris Gestrin, and Hard Rubber Orchestra, while Andrew Millar has established himself as one of the NYC scene’s first-call swing, trad, and straight-ahead jazz drummers since relocating from BC to Brooklyn back in 2015.