Pasquale Grasso is an Italian jazz guitarist, bandleader, composer, arranger and teacher. Hailed by Pat Metheny as ‘the best guitarist he’s heard in his entire life’, Grasso has performed alongside the likes of Barry Harris, Walter Zanetti, Ari Roland, Charles Davis and Frank Wess. His first appearance on Whirlwind comes in a trio setting, providing tasteful accompaniment to rising star vocalist Samara Joy’s self-titled debut album.

Grasso was born in Italy, where he studied with Walter Zanetti, before moving to New York City in 2012. There, he became part of Ari Roland and Chris Byars’ quartets, as well as becoming a Jazz Ambassador with the US Embassy, where he toured Europe, Asia and the Middle East. He currently teaches at SUNY Purchase College of Music.