Home » Member Page

Ryan Anselmi

About Me

Hi! My name is Ryan Anselmi and I am a saxophonist living and working in New York City. I was born in Paola, Kansas, which was just close enough to Kansas City and its rich musical heritage that I couldn't shake wanting music to be apart of my life. At the age of twelve I started taking saxophone lessons from Charles Kessinger and working professionally with the Twin Rivers Jazz Band from Osawatomie, KS. Folks like Twin Rivers Jazz Band, David Basse & The City Light Orchestra and Vocalist/Pianist Jay McShann were my musical inspiration growing up. I moved to Wichita, KS to study music at Wichita State University where I was a student of Tom Fowler, Craig Owens, Jean Lansing, Dr. Thompson, Mark Foley, & J.C. Combs. I was playing with a number of great musicians during this time and a number of them are still performing in the Wichita area. Ryan Heinlein's Project H, Craig Owens & the Bodo Ensemble, Kit Craig, The Hillside Blues Quartet, The Masuda Quartet, The Source, Chet Aikens Quartet, Roberto Bernardinello & Marco Porcu, Kurt Aiken Quartet, The Tom Fowler Big Band, The Air Capitol Big Band, Roger Lewis's “Joy Ride” and the adventurous Colossal. I was inspired by all of these good folks to finish my degree in New York City at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary music program in New York City. I was awarded a scholarship and moved to New York City in August of 2005. After having the opportunity to study under many great teachers and musicians I graduated from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary music in 2008.

After graduating I enrolled in the university of life and began playing, recording and touring with the following artists; Pianist Mr. Junior Mance, Selmer Woodwind Artist Tim Price, Tom Abbott and his Big Bang Big Band, Vocalist/Verve/Brownswood recording Artist Jose James, An AWESOME Southern-Fried Soul Band named The Gold Magnolias, Mr. James Moody,The Coaster's, Bassist Hide Tanaka, drummer Jackie Williams and many, many more. In addition to performing I enjoying teaching!Teaching is a chance for me to solidify the knowledge I have gained and share in the joy of creating! For the last 12 years I've taught students of all levels from beginners to professionals in a multitude of settings that include being a guest lecturer and performer on both the K-12 and university level. I also double on clarinet and flute I am currently writing new music for The Gold Magnolias, The RA Quintet and a fusion project that combines bluegrass, jazz, blues and gospel music. Look for an online album this summer from this new project.

My Jazz Story