Rick Germanson Musical artist

Rick Germanson (born May 29, 1972) is an American jazz pianist from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.Germanson started playing piano at a young age and grew up playing in the Milwaukee jazz scene. After winning the grand prize at the American Pianists Association's Jazz Piano Competition in 1996, Germanson left Milwaukee for New York City.After relocating, Germanson began quickly making his mark on the New York jazz scene, playing with notable acts and artists such as Elvin Jones' Jazz Machine; Regina Carter; Tom Harrell, Slide Hampton, Frank Morgan, Eric Alexander, Frank Lacy, Marlena Shaw, Donald Harrison, Brian Lynch, Jim Rotondi, Charles McPherson, Charles Davis, Craig Handy, Cecil Payne, and the George Gee Orchestra.Since 2001, Germanson has been a member of the Cannonball Legacy Band, headed by Cannonball Adderley's original drummer Louis Hayes. He has also toured with Pat Martino's tribute to Wes Montgomery.Germanson has appeared on recordings with Gerald Hayes, David Gibson, Joe Magnarelli, Ian Hendrickson-Smith, Brad Leali Jazz Orchestra, James Zollar, Peter Dominguez, Lance Bryant, Bill Cantrall, Gerald Cannon, and Louis Hayes, among others.Germanson has released three albums under his own name, 2003's Heights and 2005's You Tell Me on the Fresh Sounds New Talent label, and 2010's Off the Cuff on Owl Studios.