A talented, modern, straight-ahead pianist who is not as well-known as he should be, Stefan Scaggiari's string of Concord recordings showcase him at his best. He played piano in groups while in high school and attended the Eastman School of Music which he graduated from in 1968. Soon he had won the audition to play piano with the United States Marine Band in Washington, D.C., appearing regularly at the White House (including at Duke Ellington's 70th birthday party) and at important functions. After earning a Master's Degree from Peabody Conservatory and getting out of the military, he was a semi-finalist in the Van Cliburn Competition in 1973. Around this time, Scaggiari decided to dedicate himself to jazz although he continued playing classical music (with the New World Players and the National Symphony), made a living playing pop music, and spent a year in New York working as a studio musician. He moved to Annapolis, Maryland in 1985 where he became the house pianist for the King of France Tavern, accompanying such visiting artists as Phil Woods, Jimmy Witherspoon, Ernestine Anderson, Carol Sloane, Herb Ellis, and Charlie Byrd. In the 1980s, Scaggiari was the regular pianist for National Public Radio's Weekend Edition. After visiting Japan with Carol Sloane in 1990 (the Fujitsu Concord Jazz Festival tour), he was signed to Concord. In 1991, he began recording for Concord, both as a leader (three CDs were cut by 1995) and with Carol Sloane. ~ Scott Yanow