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. Anselmi’s dedication to Jazz was cemented through 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!

Upcoming Performances in 2025

• 5/23/25 – R898dfjd90jgA)H Quintet  live at Silvana in Harlem, NYC
• 2/26/25- R live at the Speakeasy under The Gin Mill Upper West Side NYC
• Saturday, June 7th, 2025 Live at The Jazz Loft in Stonybrook, NY – The Andy McKee Quintet ft Ryan Anselmi, Andrew Hadro, Dr. Darrell Smith & David Caldwell – Mason
• Thursday, June 19th, 2025 live at Threes Brewing in Gowanus, Brooklyn
• Monday, July 14th, 2025 live at Fiction Cocktail Bar for a set + hosting a killer jam session!
• Live at the Jazz Loft as part of their Swing into Spring Festival 2023
• Live at the Staten Island Jazz Festival 2022
• House Concerts at 10 Burlington in Fair Lawn, NJ – Ongoing!

Past Performances in 2025 

• 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 Women’s Soccer team 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 Quintet Live 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

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•  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 Coasters at the Tulsa State Fair

Check out Ryan’s interview with Neon Jazz