Emile Pandolfi & Dana Russell

Bio

Emile Pandolfi, pianist
Beginning his first piano studies at age 5, at the Third Street Music Settlement in Manhattan, Emile Pandolfi has been playing piano pretty much ever since. He made his orchestral debut at age 14 performing with the Greenville Symphony Orchestra in South Carolina where he grew up. He went on to receive his piano performance degree from Baylor University. After college, he applied his classical technique to his own interpretation of pop standards, Broadway classics, and light jazz.

Music took him to the Virgin Islands, where he played with several island groups, then to England where he performed in pubs and nightclubs for a couple of years. Then back home to the states: Denver and LA for the most part, both touring and performing in local venues. In LA he spent six years as the pianist at the world-famous Comedy Store. It was there that he honed his skills at creating comedic monologue, an ingredient that adds fun and entertainment to his stage show today. While in LA, recorded and performed Rhapsody in Blue for the 1984 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremonies, toured with singer Melanie (I’ve Got a Brand New Pair of Roller Skates) throughout the US and Australia. After returning to his hometown of Greenville, SC to raise his family, he's been performing his own show of American songbook, pop & Broadway hits, on performance stages across the country for many years. Now joined by guest vocalist Dana Russell, the two continue to grace major concert stages while they are also exploring more intimate performance venues and an expanded repertoire.

Pandolfi's technique has been described as "monster" by peer pianists Mike Garson and Chick Corea; his sense of timing second-to-none. The man can bring more out of a song than the composer knew he'd ever put in it; that's the gift that Emile Pandolfi brings to the stage. There's no mistaking that signature style. Even the piano is happy after an evening with Emile!