Streaming Concert_#262: Grasso-Ravita Jazz Ensemble CD Release

An die Musik Live!

409 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201

Grasso-Ravita Jazz Ensemble

"A delightfully spent hour of the funkiest, wildest yet cool, intimate and caressing jazz you’ve heard in ages... It was chemistry at first chord, melody, groove and listen."  Jonathan Wdran
https://www.jwvibe.com/post/the-grasso-ravita-jazz-ensemble-jagged-spaces

“GRASSO RAVITA JAZZ ENSEMBLE/Jagged Spaces delivers a modern sound that has roots in fusion--but the roots go deep. With a sound that sounds like it was burnished on the road and in the clubs, this is a smoking crew that knows how to pack them in. Add a bunch of cigarette smoke and some waitresses dressed in black and you have the whole package. Smart stuff.”- Chris Spector, Midwest Record  http://midwestrecord.com/MWR1723.html

Bassist Phil Ravita, co-leads a quintet with guitarist Skip Grasso along with Greg Small/p, Nuc Vega/dr and Benny Russell/ts-ss on a collection of originals. The team is intuitive and telepathic, and the writing mixing up the delivery like a 9th inning closer. Impressive sounds. - by George W. Harris • February 25, 2021 
https://www.jazzweekly.com/2021/02/the-grasso-ravita-jazz-ensemble-jagged-spaces/

“Jagged Spaces” is a well-played, first-rate recording in this excellent debut. - Ron Weinstock, Jan/Feb 2021 Jazz & Blues Report

Recording of their performance on 5/2/21

The Grasso-Ravita Jazz Ensemble presents a concert of Jazz Latin, Fusion, and original music in the Latin and Jazz style, including music from their CD Jagged Spaces. The group is based in the Mid-Atlantic area and works regionally. Members include:

Benny Russell - tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone
Skip Grasso - guitar
Greg Small - piano
Nuc Vega - drums
Phil Ravita - acoustic bass and electric 6 - string bass

Who says all the best, boldest and most badass new jazz groups come from NYC? Just when our tired spirits and hopeful ears are in critical need, the most alternately incendiary/explosive, playfully swinging and lyrical/soulful trad jazz (with a little Latin twist) debut of early 2021 goes to The Grasso-Ravita Jazz Ensemble, a brilliant, rhythmically eclectic newly formed group down the road a few hours (Baltimore/DC area).

The spark that launched Jagged Spaces, a delightfully spent hour of the funkiest, wildest yet cool, intimate and caressing jazz you’ve heard in ages, was a single gig in March 2018, when two veteran sidemen - guitarist Skip Grasso and bassist Phil Ravita - first discussed their profound desire to do a project of original music. Acting on this intuitive moment, Ravita reached out and gathered a stellar group of like-minded composers and musicians, including saxophonist Benny Russell, pianist Greg Small (also a trumpeter on other gigs) and drummer Nuc Vega.

It was chemistry at first chord, melody, groove and listen. No telling if these nine freewheeling tracks – which roll amiably from the booming, hard-swinging, feisty solo-filled title track through the sultry, easy swaying “Chasing Shadows” – were recorded live in the studio or digitally during the pandemic, but it’s easy to visualize these guys giving each other gleeful knowing smiles every second, whether they’re romping and rolling through the speedy, buoyant grooves of “Songhai,” the snazzy, smoky blues jam “Blue Sunshine.” dancing politely and elegantly through the waltz “Her Life Incomplete” or dipping into the romantic exotic lighthearted sizzle of “Latin for Leandro.”

Streaming cost is $10

Donations are welcomed.

Visit Website

Upcoming Events

Mon, June 16, 7:30 PM

FREE Cuban Jazz Concert: Ernán López-Nussa Lekszycki & Ernesto Vega

In-person Attendance →

Mon, June 16, 7:30 PM

FREE Cuban Jazz Concert: Ernán López-Nussa Lekszycki & Ernesto Vega(stream)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Wed, June 18, 7:00 PM

Eli Lev, singer-songwriter & international touring artist

In-person Attendance →

Wed, June 18, 7:00 PM

Eli Lev, singer-songwriter & international touring artist (livestream)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Wed, June 18, 8:00 PM

Gene Perla's Tiger Quartet

In-person Attendance →

Wed, June 18, 8:00 PM

Gene Perla's Tiger Quartet (livestream)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Thu, June 19, 8:00 PM

Javier Nero Jazz Orchestra

In-person Attendance →

Thu, June 19, 8:00 PM

Javier Nero Jazz Orchestra (livestream)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Fri, June 20, 7:30 PM

Brandon Woody/Craig Alston Quintet

In-person Attendance →

Fri, June 20, 7:30 PM

Brandon Woody/Craig Alston Quintet (livestream)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Sat, June 21, 7:00 PM

Blackman Murray Russo Trio

In-person Attendance →

Sat, June 21, 7:00 PM

Blackman Murray Russo Trio (livestream)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Sun, June 22, 3:00 PM

Roots Cafe Singer-Songwriters Series: Karen Collins & Geoffrey Himes

In-person Attendance →

Sun, June 22, 3:00 PM

Roots Cafe Singer-Songwriters Series: Karen Collins & Geoffrey Himes (strm)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Thu, June 26, 7:30 PM

Claudio Silva & Friends

In-person Attendance →

Thu, June 26, 7:30 PM

Claudio Silva & Friends (livestream)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Fri, June 27, 8:00 PM

Marco Quartet

In-person Attendance →

Fri, June 27, 8:00 PM

Marco Quartet (livestream)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Sun, June 29, 7:00 PM

Artist-in-Residence Justin Taylor w/ Charles Brown & Curtis Gorham, Jr.

In-person Attendance →

Sun, June 29, 7:00 PM

Artist-in-Residence Justin Taylor w/ Charles Brown & Curtis Gorham, Jr. (s)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Thu, July 10, 7:30 PM

The Clara Campbell Collective

In-person Attendance →

Thu, July 10, 7:30 PM

The Clara Campbell Collective (livestream)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Thu, July 24, 7:00 PM

Justin Lees Trio Annual Summer Concert

In-person Attendance →

Thu, July 24, 7:00 PM

Justin Lees Trio Annual Summer Concert (livestream)

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Sat, September 6, 7:00 PM

Ana Vidovic - annual solo classical guitar concert

In-person Attendance →

Sat, September 6, 7:00 PM

Ana Vidovic - annual solo classical guitar concert

Get Access to the Live Stream →

Quarantine Concert Series_#115: Carl Cornwell Quartet

Get Web Access to the Video →

Quarantine Concert Series_#116: Bill Heid Trio Three-peat

Get Web Access to the Video →

Quarantine Concert Series_#117: Wolf/Patrick/Jackson

Get Web Access to the Video →

Quarantine Concert Series_#118: Greg Thompkins and Olde SkooL Band

Get Web Access to the Video →

Quarantine Concert Series_#119: Cellist Sydney Bennett

Get Web Access to the Video →