CRITICAL REVIEWS   "...perfectly capable of playing anything." -Leon Redbone interviewed for the Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune "Mr. Asaro at the piano is a one man orchestra, his left hand often representing reeds and strings, the right hand a Sousa-influenced brass band." Alvin Klein, New York Times Paul performing in Vernel Bagneris' "Jelly Roll!" in Philadelphia, 1995" "The real pile driving talent here is also the most self-effacing: accompanist Paul Asaro has a rich honky tonk flair and a stride technique that recalls Fats Waller in his prime." Lawrence Bommer, Chicago Reader "The first time I had a chance to hear Paul Asaro was about two years ago at the Superior Ragtime Fest. He came out of nowhere and knocked us all on our butts. Paul has studied the styles of the stride masters from Eubie Blake to Dick Wellstood. And in the classic tradition, he has taken their stuff and made it his own." Pianist Terry Waldo "Asaro is a sensitive accompanist, underpinning Obba Babatunde’s vocalism with a sturdy beat and attentive flexibility. He is also a dazzling soloist." Clifford A. Ridley, The Philadelphia Inquirer "Give credit for that where it is due: to the pianist Paul Asaro, a twentysomething-looking white guy who not only plays rags and blues but also understands it. He is extraordinary and the show would be greatly diminished without him." Clark Groome, Philadelphia Chestnut Hill Local "Asaro has obviously fallen in love with Harlem piano and really gets into it. He’s a big league player, up there with the likes of Ralph Sutton, Dick Hyman, Johnny Guarnieri, Johnny Varro, Jim Turner, and Neville Dickie." Bill Mitchell, Mississippi Rag "There is a new light shining among the stars of the stride heavens, and his name is Paul Asaro, a 26 year old pianist from Chicago. He is so good, he is frightening." Robert Ault, Sedalia Rag "The real star of the show is Paul Asaro, a fabulous jazz pianist who will keep your feet tapping and your eyes on his amazing hands." Toby Zinman, Philadelphia City Paper "Those who get a chance to catch this player in action should have an enjoyable time as he is a very good piano man and very facile in the stride style." Bill Mitchell, Mississippi Rag "Asaro’s performance alone makes this event worth the price of admission. He’s an outstanding pianist in every sense of the word." Michael Kawnacky, Trenton, NJ Times "The music comes through from beginning to end, and it would not be possible without the superb playing of Paul Asaro... His playing underscores the production and allows the true star of the show to come through--the music." Devon LaBelle, Daily Targum (Rutgers University) home | upcoming schedule | recordings | reviews | Asaro's background | order form | contact Paul Asaro |links of interest |