With eleven commercial recordings to his credit, the highlight of Andrew Russo’s recording career was a 2007 Grammy Nomination for his Black Box Records release of music by John Corigliano. Additional releases on Black Box, Naxos, and Endeavor Classics feature works by Aaron Kernis, Steve Reich, John Adams, George Crumb, Paul Schoenfield, David Lang, Marc Mellits, Evan Ziporyn, Phil Kline, Derek Bermel, Michael Schelle and a host of other great composers.

Scroll down for full bio

Click here for press kit

Be sure to hear Andrew Russo’s 2012 Festival performance listed below

Friday, July 27, 2012, 6:00 PM at St. Francis Auditorium
Peter Lieberson / Oliver Knussen / Magnus Lindberg

Andrew Russo is known for the diversity of his interests and experiences, whether it be Music, Business or Politics. His musical life began at the age of five, starting piano lessons in his hometown of Syracuse, NY. Russo was already professionally active as a teenager, appearing as a soloist with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra for the first time at the age of thirteen. He went on to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Juilliard School in New York City, then moved overseas for post-graduate studies in Germany and France. Working closely in Paris with his mentor Frederic Chiu, Andrew began carving out a career as a representative of American composers and American music, leading to performances in Paris, London, Moscow, Rome, Brussels, Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Buenos Aires and many places in between.

His appearance as a finalist in the 2001 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition drew attention, when he became the first pianist to perform a significant work utilizing the inside of the piano – George Crumb’s A Little Suite for Christmas. This performance resulted helped to launch Andrew’s recording career and resulted in him curating a 7-event George Crumb Celebration on New York City’s Lower East Side in 2002. As he built relationships with more and more composers, a stream of commissions, premieres and recordings began accumulating. And in 2003, Russo formed a trio – Real Quiet – with cellist Felix Fan and percussionist David Cossin, which has been dedicated to similar work.

While spending a good part of those years traveling internationally for performances, Andrew created Music Journeys Inc., a nonprofit youth educational foundation which primarily served students in the Syracuse City School District. His work with this organization was recognized with the Post Award in 2003 – given to Central New York’s leading community servants. Russo’s non-profit work eventually led to a relationship with Le Moyne College, where he spent 5 years as Artist-in-residence and participated in the founding and development of the school’s Music Program.

With eleven commercial recordings to his credit, the highlight of Andrew’s recording career was a 2007 Grammy Nomination for his Black Box Records release of music by John Corigliano. Additional releases on Black Box, Naxos, and Endeavor Classics feature works by Aaron Kernis, Steve Reich, John Adams, George Crumb, Paul Schoenfield, David Lang, Marc Mellits, Evan Ziporyn, Phil Kline, Derek Bermel, Michael Schelle and a host of other great composers. His video of Jacob TV’s “The Body of Your Dreams” has become a popular draw on You Tube and was broadcast on Dutch television.

In 2010, Andrew was nominated by the Republican and Conservative Parties to run for New York State Senate in Central New York. His spirited campaign against a powerful incumbent resulted in a narrow defeat, but also to the pursuit of some new directions. Exploring a lifelong interest in Finance, Andrew is currently pursuing the CFA credential and holds the position of Senior Portfolio Manager at RJR Associates, an investment advisory firm in Syracuse. Continuing his involvement in the Central New York community, he serves as the Chairman of Onondaga County’s Cultural Resources Trust, as a board and committee member of non-profit agencies who serve Developmentally Disabled children and adults, and as an advocate for Education and the Arts. Andrew lives in Jamesville, NY with his wife Natalia and their two children – Andrei and Mila.