frank ponzio

Frank Ponzio, pianist and composer, has earned wide acclaim and admiration for the integrity, sensitivity, and passion of his playing.  Regarded particularly for his transparent touch and eloquent performances, he has captivated audiences all across the United States. Frank Ponzio has been heard at the legendary Birdland, The Museum of Modern Art, Trinity Church, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, and Town Hall.

As music director, composer, and arranger, Frank has worked on numerous productions, including at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Cooper-Hewitt Museum, and the Paramount Theater at Madison Square Garden. For two years he had been music director for Aisha Morris (Stevie Wonder’s daughter).

"This has much to do with the exquisite playing of musical director Frank Ponzio (who also has a good voice)" Victoria Ordin  Broadway World.com

 "Ponzio has a real understanding of the art of accompaniment."
Caught in the Act Jersey Jazz, Joe Lang

CD releases include  A Song About Forever with The Kurt Weill Project, When Harry Met the Duke, featuring the vocalist Rosemary Loar, Mostly Jobim, featuring the vocalist Annie Kozuch, Christmas Christmas with bassist, Mark Peterson and drummer Matt Kane and Danielia Cotton’s, The Mystery of Me. Most recently Frank has co-written songs with Eleanor Dubinsky and performed on and co-produced her new CD, Soft Spot, recorded in Lisbon, Portugal.
A trio recording is in the works with the ‘Button Brothers’ - Pete Donovan, bass and Richard Rosensweig, drums and a Jazz standards cd with the vocalist Kathryn Allyn

Contributions to videos and books include The Singing Book published by W.W. Norton & Company and Jazz Rhythms Master Class Advanced Instruction Video by Mike Longo. A book, with accompanying videos, on jazz piano voicings is due to be released and presented on Frank’s YouTube channel in September 2022. Reveal the Blessed Beauty, video. 
A book with several Jazz piano arrangements for classical pianists, to enjoy and use to perform, is currently being edited for release this fall.

He has created original scores for The Silver Swing, directed by Martha Parker, the feature film A Level Field, directed by Ken Haywood and Midnight to Midnight, by the sculptor, Roberta Berman.      
In television and radio, he has written music for several commercials including Dunkin' Donuts, Kmart, and Campbell’s Soup and 100's of vocal and small band arrangements. 

He has worked as pianist and vocal coach for 3 years at the New School’s Actors Studio with voice teacher Dr. Jan Prokop as well as the William Riley Vocal Studio, vocal coach to Teresa Stratas, Celine Dion and Faith Hill.  Frank runs a private teaching and small recording studio on the upper west side, NYC.

As an educator, Frank has been especially active in the community, bringing music to both young audiences and senior citizens, as well as to groups with special needs. He has enjoyed a fifteen year-long association with the National Dance Institute, an innovative organization founded by Jacques d’Amboise that brings the benefits of the arts to children from all social and economic backgrounds.  He was their full-time music director for 3 years.

"I am so grateful to you for your support, your commitment, your musical excellence, your sense of humor...You always give so much more than the 'required' amount, and for that I am extremely  grateful".  
—Ellen Weinstein, Artistic Director, National Dance

Frank graduated from Indiana University School of Music where he studied with David Baker. He studied conducting with Jack Lee and studied Jazz piano, counterpoint and arranging for 32 years with master pianist and composer Mike Longo, longtime music director for Dizzy Gillespie.

Contributions to videos and books include The Singing Book published by W.W. Norton & Company and Jazz Rhythms Master Class Advanced Instruction Video by Mike Longo. Frank is currently a member and was a pianist for the gospel new-thought church Celebration Spiritual Center in Brooklyn, NY.

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frankponzio3@gmail.com

"I've been looking a lifetime for the best pianist, and now I've finally found what I've been looking for."
—Phil Donahue 

“Frank Ponzio is not only a brilliant pianist and accompanist, he’s also a fine human being. Singing with Frank is like floating. He weaves a foundation for me to sing over. Bottom line: I’m a better singer/musician when I’m working with Frank. Thank you, Frank!”
Sally Morgan, vocalist, teacher & songwriter