Angelo Versace

Dr. Angelo Versace is a renowned jazz pianist and educator currently serving as an Associate Professor with tenure and Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Arizona. With a Doctor of Musical Arts in Jazz Performance from the University of Miami, he has established himself as a leading figure in both performance and education, recognized for his innovative contributions to jazz pedagogy and his exceptional leadership in the jazz community.

As a dynamic performer, Dr. Versace has shared the stage as a sideman with celebrated artists such as Lewis Nash, Terell Stafford, Brice Winston, Warren Wolf, Dave Stryker, and Troy Roberts. He has toured extensively with Dave Potter’s Retro Groove, a modern jazz quartet, and has recorded two albums with the group to date. Dr. Versace also has toured with the Grammy Award winning vocal group, Take 6, and drummer on the Stephen Colbert show, Joseph Saylor, in addition to several international performances in Taiwan and China as part of an exchange with the American Institute of Taiwan Jazz Outreach Program. 

Dr. Versace also has an extensive recording career, contributing to numerous acclaimed projects. His discography includes collaborations with top-tier jazz artists, including his own project My Refrain, featuring Brice Winston, and Return Trip, with co-leader Paul Deemer, as well as recordings with the Dave Potter Quartet, Sarah Tolar, Jamie Aditya, Kendall Moore, Pete Swan, and the Tucson Jazz Institute featuring NEA Jazz Master, Jimmy Heath. Furthermore, Versace will appear on three album releases in 2025, one in collaboration with Eric Nakanishi, another in collaboration with West by Northwest (jazz quartet led by Tom Wakeling), and a Christmas album covering Vince Guaraldi 

As an educator, Dr. Versace has significantly impacted the next generation of jazz musicians. Under his leadership, the University of Arizona’s jazz program has flourished, earning accolades including a DownBeat Student Award for the Fred Fox Jazz Ensemble and performing at festivals and concert halls all around Southern Arizona. He has presented several concerts as the director of the Studio Jazz Ensemble, the University of Arizona’s premier ensemble, with numerous international guest artists (Mike Moreno, Warren Wolf, Joe Lovano, Dave Stryker, Terrell Stafford, Troy Roberts, Elliot Mason, and Ken Peplowski), and his academic courses in jazz improvisation, jazz pedagogy, jazz composition, jazz piano and jazz arranging, are lauded for their depth and practical insights.

Dr. Versace is also the principal organizer of the annual AZ Jazz Week, curating performances, masterclasses, and clinics featuring top-tier jazz artists. His passion for community engagement has led to numerous outreach projects, including the Mingus Fall Clinics, ABODA area Jazz Festivals, and numerous middle/high school visits where he mentors young jazz students through masterclasses and performances.

Dr. Versace’s achievements also include being awarded First Place at the Phillips Jazz Piano Competition, a testament to his skill and artistry. His dedication to both performing and teaching continues to shape the future of jazz.