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 music began at an early age, in Paola, KS studying with Charles Kessinger. As well as 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 Fowler, Mark Foley, Sterling Grey 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 B3 organ group with saxophonists, Tim Price and Tom Abbott.
Anselmi has toured nationally performing on stages like Madison Square Park Summer Series, Mercury Lounge, Pianos, Arlene’s Grocery, Brooklyn Steel, Rockwood Music Hall, Brooklyn Bowl, Bowery Electric, La Maison (NOLA), Maple Leaf Cafe (NOLA), Check Point Charlies (NOLA), Saxton Pub (Austin), One to One (Austin), Pig Fest (Tala Bena, LA), The Blue Room (KCMO), Dazzle (CO), Mondo Music Festival, The Staten Island Jazz Festival (NY), Heritage Music BluesFest(WV), Ouray Music Festival (CO). Internationally, he has been on stages in London, Paris, Amsterdam with a notable 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 and the Jr Mance Quintet Featured of NPR’s “Toast of the Nation”
