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bio:

Pianist / composer / improviser, Jesse Stacken has been a vital force on the New York City creative music scene for the better part of a decade.  He continually brings freshness to the stage, whether through conceptual ideas or inventive spontaneity.   Stacken has led the Jesse Stacken Trio with bassist Eivind Opsvik and drummer Jeff Davis since 2005.  The group has release two critically acclaimed records on the Fresh Sound New Talent label, and a third will be released in 2012.  Stacken also has a longtime partnership with the trumpeter/cornetist Kirk Knuffke.  As a duo, they have release two award-winning records on the Steeplechase label.  In 2012 they will release a third, which features drummer Kenny Wollesen.  Stacken has been increasingly active with free improvisation, performing with two groups recently; a trio of Jesse Stacken, Robin Verheyen, and Ziv Ravitz, and a quartet featuring Akiko Sasaki playing koto.  Along with performing in many of New York City’s best venues, Stacken has toured North and South America, Europe, and Japan, including appearances at the North Sea Jazz Festival and Vancouver Jazz Festival.  He has performed and/or recorded with Peter Van Huffel, Liam Sillery, Michael Blake, Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, Tyshawn Sorey, Erica VonKleist, and Sherisse Rogers.