BIO

Alexandra began classical training on the piano at the age of 6. She received a B.A. degree in liberal arts (Plan II) from the University of Texas at Austin and went on to study music as a graduate student at North Texas State University in Denton. She began her career as a professional musician in South Lake Tahoe leading a trio in a weekly after-hours session where casino showroom players would come to sit in.

Since that time Ms. Caselli played in a wide variety of situations in the Reno-Tahoe area ranging from solo piano bar to Top-40 groups and big bands. She played piano with the Tahoe Mini-Philharmonic Orchestra at Caesar’s featuring 2 pianos on Saint-Saens’ “Carnival of the Animals”. As part of the John Carlton Orchestra she backed up name artists in the Harrah’s Reno showroom including Rich Little, Bobby Vinton, Charo and Debbie Reynolds. Alexandra was synthesizer player for the Reno-Hilton revue “Branded” and pianist for the Harrah’s Tahoe Ice Show featuring Scott Hamilton and “Tai and Randy.” She also played in the major casinos as part of a duo performing all types of music- it was during that time she started singing background vocals and developed sequencing skills on the computer.

Alexandra has been successfully freelancing in the Los Angeles area since 1991. As a member of bass player/KTLA traffic reporter Jennifer York’s jazz quartet for 12 years, she played in numerous festivals including the Long Beach, Catalina, Hyatt Newporter and Pasadena Playboy Jazz Festivals. The all-female quartet opened for Poncho Sanchez, Steve Cole, John Tesh and Boney James among others. Ms. Caselli has played many shows locally and throughout the world including Little Anthony (of the Imperials), “Jerry’s Girls” with Kay Starr, and Elton John’s AIDA. In addition to leading her own group she has played with many other artists including Bonnie Pointer (of the Pointer Sisters), Jennifer Leitham, Jonathan Dane, Jennifer Hall, Doug Webb, Mindi Abair, George Shelby, Brad Rabuchin, Elliott Caine, Cami Thompson, and Ann Patterson’s Maiden Voyage. For the last ten years she has been music director and keyboardist for St. Stephen’s of the Valley Lutheran Church. Not only does Alexandra enjoy performing, but she has completed three CDs featuring her own compositions, arrangements and keyboard playing with a jazz combo.

What critics say:

“Pianist Caselli, classically trained, who also writes some of the band’s original music, is a delight at the piano, creating moods with her mellow ballad stylings, setting the pace with bop, or for whatever is the call of the moment.”
-Bob Agnew,
L.A. Jazz Scene

“She’s an absolutely marvelous pianist, and if there’s any justice in this world we’ll be hearing much more from her.... I won’t even try to explain what makes Caselli so special, but I believe I know an exemplary player when I hear one, and I’ve heard one here.”
-Jack Bowers,
Cadence Magazine

“Alexandra Caselli at the piano... comps with the best, improvises on the ballads with a depth of feeling that can be felt in the soul of those that listen. When Caselli brings on the heat and gets into the blues.... the toes start tapping and the fingers start snapping. “
-Johnny Jazz ,
Performance Reviews

“Caselli’s piano backing was exquisite... The (York) quartet plays with a lot of charisma and soul. Hearing them is truly a musical reward.
-Glenn A. Mitchell,
L.A. Jazz Scene

“Her tunes are some of the best written originals I’ve heard in years. Great feel, harmony that is hip and I love her time.”
Tim Price,
saxophonist and educator

"Her touch moves from a Keith Jarrett sound to almost a Bill Evans sound (though not quite) to something entirely her own (perhaps even a bit of church music influence?)."
Adam Greenberg,
<www.allmusic.com>

Add to that great name the classical heritage of Muzio Clementi, the impressionistic philosophy of Lynne Arriale (by way of Bill Evans), and a great ear for melody, and you have the total package that is Ms. Caselli.... She plays with a double-fisted abandon that imparts a real orchestral sound to her trio.
C. Michael Bailey
www.allaboutjazz.com