The Gabriel Espinosa Band, feat. Pianist Misha Tsiganov - National Act!

Sat, Apr 26

Gabriel Espinosa was born in Merida, Mexico. He received a BA in Music from Central College and an Arranging Degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston. He later received his Masters in Music from the University of North Texas. He began his teaching career at Central College in 1996 and in 2004 he joined the music faculty at Grinnell College. Prior to going solo in 2009 Espinosa recorded three albums with his Iowa based band Ashanti. Since then, he has recorded five albums under the music label Zoho Music based in New York City. Musicians featured include Antonio Sanchez, Anat Cohen, Hendrik Meurkens, Misha Tsiganov, Helio Alves, Tierney Sutton and Kim Nazarian to name a few. --- For Misha Tsiganov, the journey to becoming a renowned jazz musician began with a dream—a dream to move to the United States for greater opportunities and a broader musical landscape. Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, into a family of artists—his father a sculptor and his mother a music teacher—Misha's passion for music ignited early. At just six years old, he began playing the piano, and his dedication led him to graduate from the Mussorgsky College of Music. In 1990, Misha’s exceptional talent was recognized with a prize-winner diploma at the All-Russia Jazz Competition. The following year, his dream took a significant step forward when the esteemed vibraphonist Gary Burton invited him to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston. After two years of rigorous training, Misha’s dream of moving to the U.S. became a reality when he relocated to New York City, where his career began to flourish. Misha’s impressive career includes a range of notable collaborations and recordings: 1998-2008: Collaborated with Norman Hedman's Tropique, contributing to Taken By Surprise (2000, Palmetto Records) and Garden Of Forbidden Fruit (2003, PowerLight Media). 2002-present: Worked with Johnny Colon on Keeping It Real (2007). 2002-present: Partnered with Willie Martinez, recording I Remember You (2002), Family (2005), and After Winter, Spring (2008). 2003-2004: Joined Chico Freeman for the album Out Of Many Comes The One (2003, Arabesque Records). 2004: Featured on NGFOOT (Nine Guys From Out Of Town), produced by Stu Gardner and featuring artists like Michael Brecker and Randy Brecker. 2004-2008: Worked with Joe Chambers on The Outlaw (2005, Savant Records) and performed at the Half Note Jazz Club in Athens. 2007-present: Collaborated with Papo Pepin and Jed Levy, with albums including Travelogue (2011) and Italian Suite (2013, SteepleChase Records). 2007-present: Partnered with Hendrik Meurkens, contributing to Samba To Go (2009, Zoho Records), A Night In Jakarta (2010, Jawo Records), Live at Bird's Eye (2011, Zoho Records), Celebrando (2012, Zoho Records), and Samba, Little Samba (2014, Zoho Records). In 2011, Misha toured Europe with the Myron Walden Quintet featuring Darren Barrett. His performances have illuminated prestigious international venues and festivals, including Carnegie Hall, Blue Note, Dizzy's Club, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Avery Fisher Hall, and many others, from the Java Jakarta Jazz Festival to the St. Croix Jazz Festival. Misha Tsiganov’s distinctive piano work was a highlight of the Bill Cosby television cartoon Little Bill (1999-2002), which continues to air on Nickelodeon and CBS. His contributions are also featured in Paramount Pictures / Viacom’s Little Bill videos. Throughout his career, Misha has had the privilege of performing and recording with jazz icons such as Clark Terry, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Wynton Marsalis, Joe Chambers, Gary Bartz, Hendrik Meurkens, and many others, embodying the essence of jazz with each performance. Misha Tsiganov’s journey underscores the power of a dream and the transformative opportunities it can bring.