Grasso-Ravita Jazz Ensemble (Sets at 7:00 & 8:30 PM)

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 group’s CD Jagged Spaces, is 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 Widran, The JW Vibe

On a gig in March 2018, Phil Ravita and Skip Grasso talked about a  profound desire to do a project of original music. Phil subsequently  brought together a stellar group of musicians to rehearse and perform.  It was immediately evident to us that the chemistry of this group of  musicians was a rare and significant creative opportunity.

So, why do a project of all original music when jazz has such a vast  repertoire in its tradition? Musicians know the safest course – the  homage to the tradition – when recording a project. The musicians in  this ensemble have all played that repertoire for many years.

It’s this tradition which we have loved, respected, and devoted our  lives to that moves us collectively. The musicians who have most  inspired us composed their own music nonetheless. In the writing of our  “vehicles for improvisation,” we challenge ourselves to define a more  personal language within the tradition, thus become our true selves  revealing pieces of our unique narrative.