Revised August 2023:
Native and lifetime New Yorker Ron Wasserman has had an unusually diverse and eclectic career in the arts.
Centered around his position as principal bassist of the New York City Ballet Orchestra, (since 1988) he has continually and tirelessly reinvented himself as arranger, composer, conductor, bandleader, curator, videographer, songwriter, and recently vocalist, and soon to be podcaster.
Unparalleled as a bassist, he has played with virtually every kind of musical group in venues around the world. Most comfortable as a classical musician, he excels in Traditional Jazz, Modern Jazz, Nuevo Tango, and commercial genres. He also dabbles in Bluegrass and several world music styles. He subbed with the New York Philharmonic for 10 years, playing under the greatest conductors of the day. He toured with noted tango bandoneonist JP Jofre for several years.
He has arranged/transcribed works by Wayne Shorter, Solange Knowles, Astor Piazzolla, and many others. He conducted the NYC Ballet orchestra, the Kennedy Center Orchestra and smaller groups. His 17 piece jazz orchestra, The New York Jazzharmonic, has played in concerts as well as for the dance at the Joyce Theater, Symphony Space, and Washington Square Music Festival.
Ron has several recordings of original music to his credit. His major composed works are many, and include several long form pieces for solo piano, orchestra, and jazz big band. Never one to repeat himself, and always looking for new challenges, Ron recently finished a cabaret song cycle that he will perform as singer. Entitled, “Songs for Middle Aged Lovers,” it will be premiered in August at the Jefferson Market Garden concerts he curates.
As a commissioner of music, choreography, and visual art, he has a special affinity for works by women, including pieces by composers Miho Hazama and Courtney Bryant, choreographies by Ashley Bouder and Liz Gerring, and illustrations by Andrea Selby and Julia DeRosa. He led a monthly music salon for three years at Bar Thalia, and one ongoing project had five concerts all of music by women.
During the pandemic shutdown Ron was asked by the musicians and the dancers of the New York City Ballet to direct and produce two dance videos. The resulting “Curbside Nutcracker,” and “Backstage Pass: Carnival of the Animals,” became viral hits.
His future projects are numerous, and finding the time for them is one of his main activities. Stand by for an arts discussion podcast, which will bring a musician, dancer, actor, visual artist, and writer together to discuss current exciting NY arts happenings.
Native and lifetime New Yorker Ron Wasserman has had an unusually diverse and eclectic career in the arts.
Centered around his position as principal bassist of the New York City Ballet Orchestra, (since 1988) he has continually and tirelessly reinvented himself as arranger, composer, conductor, bandleader, curator, videographer, songwriter, and recently vocalist, and soon to be podcaster.
Unparalleled as a bassist, he has played with virtually every kind of musical group in venues around the world. Most comfortable as a classical musician, he excels in Traditional Jazz, Modern Jazz, Nuevo Tango, and commercial genres. He also dabbles in Bluegrass and several world music styles. He subbed with the New York Philharmonic for 10 years, playing under the greatest conductors of the day. He toured with noted tango bandoneonist JP Jofre for several years.
He has arranged/transcribed works by Wayne Shorter, Solange Knowles, Astor Piazzolla, and many others. He conducted the NYC Ballet orchestra, the Kennedy Center Orchestra and smaller groups. His 17 piece jazz orchestra, The New York Jazzharmonic, has played in concerts as well as for the dance at the Joyce Theater, Symphony Space, and Washington Square Music Festival.
Ron has several recordings of original music to his credit. His major composed works are many, and include several long form pieces for solo piano, orchestra, and jazz big band. Never one to repeat himself, and always looking for new challenges, Ron recently finished a cabaret song cycle that he will perform as singer. Entitled, “Songs for Middle Aged Lovers,” it will be premiered in August at the Jefferson Market Garden concerts he curates.
As a commissioner of music, choreography, and visual art, he has a special affinity for works by women, including pieces by composers Miho Hazama and Courtney Bryant, choreographies by Ashley Bouder and Liz Gerring, and illustrations by Andrea Selby and Julia DeRosa. He led a monthly music salon for three years at Bar Thalia, and one ongoing project had five concerts all of music by women.
During the pandemic shutdown Ron was asked by the musicians and the dancers of the New York City Ballet to direct and produce two dance videos. The resulting “Curbside Nutcracker,” and “Backstage Pass: Carnival of the Animals,” became viral hits.
His future projects are numerous, and finding the time for them is one of his main activities. Stand by for an arts discussion podcast, which will bring a musician, dancer, actor, visual artist, and writer together to discuss current exciting NY arts happenings.
Curating
