What a fantastic tribute to Mr. Junior Mance at Winnie’s Jazz Bar in Midtown NYC last Friday, October 17th. Long time bass player for Jr, Mr. Hide Tanaka was featured along with Mr. Fukushi Tainaka on drums. Fukushi had played with Jr for several years in the early 80’s. Students of Jr’s, pianist Marc Devine, myself on tenor and Andrew Hardo on Baritone saxphone rounded out the band. Guest soloist and stellar musician, Michi Fuji also joined on several pieces that featured her, Marc and Hide. Gloria Mance was in the audience. What a true pleasure to perform for her again. A beautiful tribute to Junior indeed.
In addition to the tribute Gloria and JunGlo Records recently released a Vynil compilation highlighting some select recordings from later in Jr’s career. Andrew Hadro and myself are featured on the closing track entitled “Out South” from a live recording we did in 2014 at Cafe Loupe, NYC. Learn more and pick up a copy at the link.
Upcoming Performances in 2025
- 11/06/25 – Prv Evnt w/Matrix Jazz
Upcoming Performances in 2026
- 4/25/26 – Prv Evnt w/Atomic Funk
- 5/6/26 – Prv Evnt w/Atomic Funk
- 5/30/26 – Prv Evnt w/Atomic Funk
- 6/6/26 – Prv Evnt w/Atomic Funk
- 6/27/26 – Prv Evnt w/Atomic Funk
- 8/8/26 – Prv Evnt w/Atomic Funk
- 8/29/26 – Prv Evnt w/Atomic Funk
- 9/19/26 – Prv Evnt w/Atomic Funk
- 9/26/26 – Prv Evnt w/Atomic Funk
- 10/3/26 – Prv Evnt w/Atomic Funk
- 10/10/26 – Prv Evnt w/Atomic Funk
Past Performances in 2025
- 10/17/25 – Open to the public, two sets! Jr. Mance Tribute Concert Winnie’s Wine Bar, NYC
- 10/13/25 – Open to the public, two sets! Perf. w/Matrix Jazz at Dog House Saloon in NJ
- 10/11/25 – Prv Evnt w/Atomic Funk
- 10/10/25 – Prv Evnt w/ The Andy Granowitz Trio
- 9/27/25 – Prv Evnt w/Atomic Funk
- 9/13/25 – Prv Evnt w/Brooklyn Beats
- 8/30/25 – Perf. w/ Miss Ohio at Autodidact Brewery in Morris Plains, NJ
- 8/17/25 – Prv Evnt Engagement w/Matrix Jazz in Paramus, NJ
- 8/14/25 – Prv. Evnt w/Matrix Jazz at the Teaneck Community Center, Teaneck, NJ
- 8/09/25 – Prv Evnt w/Atomic Funk
- 6/21/25 – Perf. at Red Bull Stadium w/ Atomic Funk for the Gotham FC
- 6/21/25 – Perf. as part of the Make Music Fair Lawn, NJ
- 6/14/25 – Prv Evnt w/Atomic Funk In Callicoon Center, NY
- 6/07/25 – Andy McKee QuintetLive at The Jazz Loft in Stonybrook, NY
- 5/23/25 – R(A)H Quintet live at Silvana in Harlem, NYC
- 5/26/25 – R(A)H Quintet live at the Speakeasy under The Gin Mill Upper West Side NYC
- ——–
- Live at the Jazz Loft as part of their Swing into Spring Festival
- Live at the Staten Island Jazz Festival
- Perf. w/The Temptations + The Four Tops
- Perf. w/The Gold Magnolias Rockwood Music Hall, NYC
- Perf. w/The Gold Magnolias Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, NY
- Perf. w/The Gold Magnolias at One to One in Austin, TX
- Perf. w/The Gold Magnolias live at Harmony Presents Series
- Perf. w/The Coasters at the Tulsa State Fair
BIO
Ryan Anselmi is a Saxophonist, Educator and ARC Recording Artist known for his soulful approach to improvisation and deep respect for Jazz, Blues and American roots music. With a career spanning multiple genres, Anselmi’s versatility has also led him to work with The Temptations, The Coasters, Atomic Funk Project, José James, Craig Owens and the Bodo Ensemble, Singer/Songwriter Jon Foose, The Gold Magnolias, Dave Wilson & The Summer Husbands and College Radio. 
His lifelong pursuit of studying and performing this music began at an early age, in Paola, KS studying with Charles Kessinger 
and being supported by his band directors, David Hodges 
and David Wiggins. From there he began to playing with the Twin Rivers Dixieland Jazz Band from Osawatomie, KS around the Kansas City area. 
This early exposure laid the foundation for a career dedicated to both honoring tradition and pushing musical boundaries.
He would move to Wichita, KS to attend Wichita State University to study with Gene Lansing, Tom Folwer and Craig Owens. He was fortunate enough to work with Rod Martins and The Source band and with Craig Owens & The Bodo Ensemble. Both groups help prepare him to be a working musician and to hone his creative practice. Anselmi moved to NYC in 2005 to finish a degree from The New School. While in school, Anselmi held a long-standing monthly residency at The Garage on 7th Avenue South in New York City’s Greenwich Village. Here he honed his distinctive voice as both a player and bandleader leading a quintet with baritone saxophonist, Andrew Hadro and an organ group with saxophonists, Tim Price and Tom Abbott.
Anselmi has toured nationally performing on stages like stages like Rockwood Music Hall, Brooklyn Bowl, Mondo Music Festival and the Heritage Music BluesFest. Internationally, he has been on stages in London, Paris, Amsterdam with a notably week long stretch with the legendary Blues and Jazz pianist Junior Mance at Marian Jazz Cafe in Bern, Switzerland. This tour included an unforgettable experience standing alongside on stage with the great saxophonist, Mr. James Moody and pianist Mr. Junior Mance. 
Something that Anselmi carry’s with him every time he performs regardless of they type of music he is playing. You can catch Ryan performing with his group R(A)H Quintet or see him around the NYC area playing with various groups spanning multiple genres and styles.
Beyond performance, Anselmi is deeply committed to music education, striving to inspire and mentor the next generation of musicians. His expressive playing and compositional sensibilities bridge tradition and innovation, bringing fresh perspectives to both jazz and beyond. Ryan currently teaches privately in the NJ & NYC area. In addition, Ryan has started an exciting music mentorship workshop catering to young artists learning to write and record their original music at no cost to them. Click over and check out more about Rising Star Music Workshop! 
Check out Ryan’s interview with Neon Jazz
