Born in Boston, Ryan Hanseler learned to play the piano at age six. Although classically trained, his interest gravitated towards jazz at an early age. By his early teens, he was fortunate to study with one of the finest educators in jazz, Mr. Charles Banacos. After several years of studying under him, Ryan Hanseler went on to earn a degree in Jazz Theory from the Crane School of Music in upstate New York. To complete his formal music education, he would later earn his Masters degree in Jazz Composition and Arranging from North Carolina Central University. R ecent projects include a duo album with trumpeter Lynn Grissett, and a quartet album entitled "Home Again," released in 2014-2015. Pianist and composer Ryan Hanseler's professional career has spanned nearly 20 years and has included performances and recordings with some of the most respected names in jazz including Delfeayo Marsalis, Tim Green, Branford Marsalis, Kobie Watkins, Dee Dee Bridgewater and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (NOJO), Cyrille Aimee, John Brown, Jason Marsalis and Herlin Riley. He has hosted numerous clinicians and educational performances around the world and is the former head of Jazz Piano Studies at East Carolina University. Presently, Hanseler is the pianist for the Uptown Jazz Orchestra as well as for vocalist Cyrille Aimee. A highly respected performer, Hanseler is a first-call pianist in the New Orleans jazz scene. Tonight, he presents his Crescent By Choice collective.