What Makes a San Diego Jazz Party Musician a Legend, and What Does it Mean?

A legend is someone who leaves behind an unforgettable impression on others. There are all kinds of legends in this world, and our award-winning jazz pianist, Rossano Sportiello, is the Legend for 2024. He was born in Vigevano, Italy in 1974. He began studying piano at the age of nine under the tutelage of Italian classical pianist, Carlo Villa, and continued until his graduation in classical piano from the Conservatory in 1996. At 16, he was performing professionally at jazz venues in the Milan area, and in 1992, he joined one of Europe’s historic jazz bands, the “Milano Jazz Gang”, and toured with the group throughout Italy and West Europe until the end of 2000. He has been an important  part of the San Diego Jazz Party for many years.