Dean Rolando

For 35 years Dean Rolando has been a busy, in demand pianist/keyboardist based in Chicago. Dean began his career playing with popular local bands but quickly moved on to being a regular in a wide array of elite local venues from Orphans to the Pump Room and everything in-between.

In the early 80's Dean met Laurel Masse` one of the founding members of the Manhattan Transfer Vocal group. Laurel had been with the group for 7 years but left after a serious auto accident which included a long rehab and was now re-entering the music business as a solo artist. Dean was her musical director for 10 years traveling the world and producing 3 critically acclaimed CD's including "Easy Living" on Pausa Records which went to number 3 on the Billboard Jazz Charts. Neil Tesser the renown Jazz Critic and author called Dean the "un-sung hero of the 88's".

In the 90's Dean began working with Rich Daniels and The City Lights Orchestra, one of the elite major event orchestras in the country. The Orchestra is known for being the featured music for top corporate events and galas. These types of events often feature national entertainment and during this time the Orchestra has had the pleasure of working with and backing up the likes of Garth Brooks, Ray Charles, Diane Schurr, The Manhattan Transfer along with the Cast of The Lion King and Beauty And The Beast, just to name a few. Dean is the Associate Musical Director of The City Lights Orchetsra.

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