Michele Rosewoman


Michele Rosewoman is an American jazz pianist living in New York City. She is known for her work and recordings with her Quintessence ensemble, as well as her New Yor-Uba ensemble.
Rosewoman has released nine albums, including five with Quintessence and several trio and quartet recordings. Her New Yor-Uba ensemble, featuring Orlando "Puntilla" Rios until his death in 2008, is an Afro-Cuban jazz big band that Rosewoman founded in 1983. It finally released its first album in 2013, in celebration of its 30th anniversary.
Rosewoman is also known for her work as a backing musician on recordings by such artists as Greg Osby, Billy Bang and Ralph Peterson. Before moving to New York City from California in 1978, Rosewoman, who was deeply influenced by Oakland-based pianist/organist Ed Kelly, led several jazz groups in the Oakland area and also performed with Baikida Carroll, Julius Hemphill and Julian Priester. In New York, she performed with post-avant-garde musicians Oliver Lake and Billy Bang, as well as with straight-ahead jazz masters Freddie Waits, Rufus Reid, Billy Hart, Reggie Workman and figures from Latin music such as Celia Cruz, Chocolate Armenteros, Nicky Marrero, Paquito D'Rivera, and Daniel Ponce, among others.

Early years

Rosewoman was born in Oakland in 1953, and is the daughter of visual artist Estera Roseman. Her parents operated an independent record shop in Walnut Creek, California, and her mother was also an arts educator. Rosewoman began playing the piano at age six. In her late teens she studied Cuban and Haitian folkloric rhythms and vocal traditions.

Discography

With Quintessence
As backing musician