Solo Piano-Lessons-Ensemble Performances-Reviews

Chris Rutkowski

M. A. Music Theory and Composition, Eastern michigan University

Doctor of Music-Composition/Jazz, jacobs School of Music, Indiana Univerity

Jazz pianist Chris Rutkowski has enjoyed several careers over a lifetime in music. Beginning as a self-taught improviser, he digressed into the study of philosophy at Kings College London (UK). He returned to Detroit, immersing himself in its rich jazz universe and working with luminaries such as renowned trumpeter Marcus Belgrave, Motown's Temptations, and numerous others. He also began writing classical music, studying with Aaron Copland student Anthony Iannaccone and subsequently pursuing graduate work at Indiana University and private study with John Corigliano. There followed a 20-year period of academic musical appointments at institutions such as Earlham College, the College of Wooster and Indiana-Purdue University Fort Wayne. Currently he devotes his time to jazz piano performance with his band, the Project, focused on his original compositions. Performance venues include the Detroit, Elkhart, Indianapolis and Carmel Jazz Festivals; the Jazz Kitchen, Baker’s Keyboard Lounge (Detroit), the Chatterbox, Penrod Art Fair, Concerts on the Canal (Indianapolis) and many more. His performances have been featured in two television programs produced by WTBU (Indianapolis) and has played with Darmon Meader (leader, New York Voices), singer Everett Greene, trumper Allen Vizzutti and with saxophonist Eric Alexander.

Chris is the director of CRP Music, which houses his multiple jazz endeavors. Visit the website, CRPJazz.com, to view or listen to a wealth of performances of his original tunes and arrangements.