A proponent of new and classic, western and world percussion music, FRANK CASSARA has premiered many works with as many diverse groups.  As percussionist for the Philip Glass Ensemble, he has performed around the globe as well as recording Glass' music and film scores, most recently his new work "Orion".  He has also performed around the world with Steve Reich and Musicians at major international festivals. As a member of the New Music Consort/PULSE Percussion Ensemble he has appeared at major festivals in the US and abroad, as well as premiering and recording new percussion ensemble works. Frank Cassara has toured extensively with Newband/Harry Partch Ensemble, performing and recording on Partch's original microtonal instruments and Dean Drummond's Zoomoozophone. He has also performed or recorded with groups as Music From China, Percussia, Manhattan Marimba Quartet, Talujon Percussion Quartet, North/South Consonance and Ethos Percussion Group. Principal percussionist of the Riverside Symphony, he has been principal of the Connecticut Grand Opera and a member of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic. He has also performed with many area orchestras such as the Brooklyn Philharmonic, American Composers Orchestra, and the Long Island Philharmonic. Frank Cassara has played for Broadway shows "Porgy & Bess", "Phantom", "Lion King", "42nd Street" and "Music Man" among others, and heads the percussion departments at Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music, Long Island University and Vassar College.

Frank Cassara Is an Innovative Percussion Artist.

 

"Really enjoyable quartet session from percussionist Cassara, who might be more familiar to some with his work in the Philip Glass Ensemble.  Straight-ahead modern jazz that just seems to emanate a strength that rings loud from every note.  Nice solos and all, but it’s the way this sax/drums/bass/piano quartet comes together in unison where this album really shows its heart." Dave Sumner  Bird Is The Worm

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Syracuse Post Standard about Bright Sheng's Hot Pepper  "the music rises to an insistent burning and a final stop, when the delighted audience fills in the beat with applause for the dazzling performance".

New York Times Paul Griffiths about Steve Reich "Frank Cassara and James Preiss made "Nagoya Marimbas" dance.

New York Times Allan Kozinn  "Frank Cassara gave a virtuosic account of Wen Loong-Hsing's "Phenomina III", a colorful work that has the a soloist playing 37 instruments"

my piece for viola and vibraphone