Andrew Russo is a concert pianist and recording artist, but he is also a certified financial planner and a former political candidate. He received degrees from Juilliard, followed by study in Leipzig and Paris, and gained some notoriety performing Crumb's A Little Suite for Christmas, A.D. 1979 during the 2001 Van Cliburn competition. It is believed to have been the first time a participant had played a piece that utilized the interior and body of the piano along with the keyboard. His recordings bear out his affinity for new music. They feature works by Morton Gould, William Bolcom, Aaron Jay Kernis, and composers such as Marc Mellits and Derek Bermel, whose imaginative blending of various styles redefine concert music. Russo's inventive Mix Tape (2008) also puts a new perspective on pop music. Russo's recording of piano and chamber music by John Corigliano was nominated for a 2007 Grammy. ~ Patsy Morita