Harry Appelman has toured the United States and Canada with the Woody Herman Orchestra (under the direction of Frank Tiberi) and the Artie Shaw Orchestra (under the direction of Dick Johnson). He was a finalist in both the 1987 and 1988 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competitions Jazz Piano Competition.

Mr. Appelman currently performs in the Washington, D.C. area at Blues Alley, the One Step Down, the Corcoran Museum concert series, Wolf Trap, Twins and other popular jazz venues. He has performed in groups led by Gary Thomas, George Garzone, Valery Ponomarev, Brian Lynch, Don Braden, Vincent Herring, Dominique Eade and Walt Weiskopf, among others (including Baltimore's Rumba Club). He has also resided and performed in Boston and New York City -- where he played with numerous creative and respected groups, ranging from trumpeter Scott Wendholt's quartet to vocalist Dakota Staton's trio.

A native of the Chicago area, Harry Appelman began his classical music training in the first grade, later turning to the fusion and rock idioms and ultimately to jazz. After graduating with a BA in Economics from the University of Illinois -- where he was honored as a Phi Beta Kappa and Summa cum Laude -- he went on to earn a Master of Music degree with distinction from the New England Conservatory. His post-graduate music studies have included work with Jim McNeely, Fred Hersch, Stanley Cowell, Tom McKinley, Sophia Rosoff and other brilliant pianist-teachers.

Selected Recordings

As leader: Harry Appelman, Balancing (Exclusive Arts, 1995). Trio with Ben Street, bass and Kenny Wollesen, drums.

"It's a rare pleasure to hear such an outstanding debut recording --full of first-class ideas, quiet virtuosity and subtle surprises. Bravo! -- Fred Hersch

As sideman: Interplay, First Time (Jazzscapes, 1995).

Daryl Brenzel, Pentasphere (JenJazz, 1998).

John DeSalme / Steve Fidyk, Big Kids (US Roots, 1998).

Complex Blue (Lex O'Brien), Knot the Thought that Counts (LexJazz, 2000)

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