Biography
Andrew Russo stands apart from most concert pianists and Grammy-nominated recording artists because he also works as a certified financial planner and advisor while previously running as a candidate for the New York state senate.
He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from Juilliard before spending time in Leipzig and Paris, where he studied with Frederic Chiu. During the opening round of the 2001 Van Cliburn competition he performed George Crumb’s A Little Suite for Christmas, A.D. 1979, believed to be the first occasion any participant had played a work that drew on the piano’s interior and body in addition to its keyboard. His recordings and collaborative projects reflect a consistent interest in new music, spotlighting compositions by Morton Gould, William Bolcom, Aaron Jay Kernis, Marc Mellits, and Derek Bermel, the last of whom redefines concert music through imaginative fusions of multiple styles. Russo’s own inventive Mix Tape from 2008 likewise offers a fresh vantage on pop music. The 2007 Grammy nomination went to his recording of John Corigliano’s piano and chamber music, and in 2013 he captured Kernis’s concerto Three Flavors along with additional pieces for Naxos.
Beyond performance, Russo established a nonprofit devoted to music education, served as director of music at Le Moyne College from 2006 to 2010, and pursued the New York state senate seat in 2009–2010. Around the same period he launched a parallel career in finance while continuing to appear as a pianist. As the parent of a child with Down Syndrome, he also champions families navigating developmental challenges.
He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from Juilliard before spending time in Leipzig and Paris, where he studied with Frederic Chiu. During the opening round of the 2001 Van Cliburn competition he performed George Crumb’s A Little Suite for Christmas, A.D. 1979, believed to be the first occasion any participant had played a work that drew on the piano’s interior and body in addition to its keyboard. His recordings and collaborative projects reflect a consistent interest in new music, spotlighting compositions by Morton Gould, William Bolcom, Aaron Jay Kernis, Marc Mellits, and Derek Bermel, the last of whom redefines concert music through imaginative fusions of multiple styles. Russo’s own inventive Mix Tape from 2008 likewise offers a fresh vantage on pop music. The 2007 Grammy nomination went to his recording of John Corigliano’s piano and chamber music, and in 2013 he captured Kernis’s concerto Three Flavors along with additional pieces for Naxos.
Beyond performance, Russo established a nonprofit devoted to music education, served as director of music at Le Moyne College from 2006 to 2010, and pursued the New York state senate seat in 2009–2010. Around the same period he launched a parallel career in finance while continuing to appear as a pianist. As the parent of a child with Down Syndrome, he also champions families navigating developmental challenges.
Albums
