Michael%20Grasso


Michael%20Grasso

Not 2 Cool Jazz Band

The Not 2 Cool Jazz Band plays a mixture of standards and modern jazz in the spirit of Chet Baker, Miles Davis, and Stan Getz. They have an intimate and lyrical sound that follows the west coast style of cool jazz. They are available as a duet (flugelhorn and acoustic guitar), a trio (trumpet, guitar, bass), or with the addition of a drummer, saxophonist, or vocalist. They are available to play at restaurants, coffee houses, receptions, special events, and as a host band for open-mic jam sessions in the Baltimore-Washington area.

Michael Grasso is a physician and part-time trumpet player in the Baltimore-Washington area. He is a "comeback" playing, who picked up the horn after stepping away for several years. He has a romantic and introspective sound, inspired by Chet Baker, Chris Botti, and the lyrical style of west coast jazz. He was born and raised in northern New Jersey. Before changing careers, he was a jazz and music composition major at the New Jersey City University. In addition to the trumpet, he plays some piano, guitar and jazz harmonica. Michael also plays with JazWorks, Magic Ray Jazz, and is a volunteer for Bugles Across America, through which he plays taps at funerals to honor veterans.

Jack Litzinger has been playing guitar for more than 35 years. He studied extensively under New Jersey jazz guitarist, Richie Pine. His travels have allowed him to be exposed to a variety of music styles and is comfortable playing jazz, originals, and rock-n-roll. In addition to performing with Not 2 Cool, he also plays with Wildberry Jam, the Wendell Jackson Band and as a jazz guitar soloist throughout the in the Baltimore area.

Links
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Song List

Contact Us
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Not 2 Cool Jazz

Not 2 Cool Jazz Trio
Trumpet - Michael Grasso
Guitar - Jack Litzinger
Bass - Herb Nachmann

Michael's Instruments
Bach 1974 180-43* Stradivarius
Getzen Eterna 896 Flugelhorn
Getzen Eterna Piccolo Trumpet
Getzen M2003ES Field Trumpet
Bach 3C & 3CFL Mouthpieces
Hohner Super 64 Harmonica

Jack's Instruments
Gibson ES5 Switchmaster Fender 1962 re-issue Jazzmaster
Gitane D-500 Django Macaferri

Where We've Been Playing


             
(Click pictures to enlarge)


Song List (Partial)

Standards
  • All The Things You Are
  • Autumn Leaves
  • Berie's Tune
  • Just Squeeze Me
  • Lady Bird
  • Lady Is A Tramp
  • Night And Day
  • Out Of Nowhere
  • Perdido
  • Satin Doll
  • The Way You Look Tonight
  • Witchcraft
Blues / Fusion / Straight-Ahead Jazz
  • Blue Monk
  • C Jam Blues
  • Equinox
  • Footprints
  • Four
  • Freddie The Freeloader
  • Lester Leaps In
  • Little Sunflower
  • Now's The Time
  • Road Song
  • Route 66
  • Watermelon Man
Ballads
  • Alone Together
  • In A Sentimental Mood
  • Lover Man
  • My Funny Valentine
  • Summertime
  • What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life
  • Whisper Not
  • You Don't Know What Love Is
Latin / Bossa
  • Besame Mucho
  • Black Orpheus
  • Blue Bossa
  • Girl From Ipanema
  • Masquerade
  • Meditation
  • My Little Suede Shoes
  • One Note Samba
  • Shadow Of Your Smile
  • Watch What Happens
  • Wave