During his long career, trumpeter and flugelhornist Enrico Rava was one of the best known and most appreciated Italian jazz musicians on an international level. jazz-rock, ending up with symphonic music and Italian melodrama. His style is characterized by minimalist phrasing, dotted with long reflective, lyrical breaths, with dark tones and at the same time tinged with a sweet Mediterranean temperament. Music critics Joachim-Ernest Berendt and Gunther Huesmann in the “The Book of Jazz” they write about him – “Enrico Rava, the master of melismas, precisely in the sense of the Italian tradition; he plays with a "singing" trumpet style that has been a part of jazz since its inception. Rava is influenced by Miles Davis, but he transposed Miles' sound to a jazzy background that harks back to Italian opera, brimming with melos and inner pathos."
Enrico Rava began his musical studies as a self-taught in Turin, experimenting with the trombone in Dixieland formations. In the early sixties he moved to Rome where he began playing with the quintet formed by the Argentine saxophonist Gato Barbieri, the pianist Franco D'Andrea, the double bass player Gianni Foccià and the drummer Gegé Munari. A few years later the trumpeter joins saxophonist Steve Lacy to leave for Argentina, to stay there for a whole year. During this stay in the South American country he recorded one of the most representative records of free jazz "The Forest and the Zoo". A year later, having settled in New York, he came into contact with the American avant-garde jazz scene of Charlie Haden, Cecil Taylor and Carla Bley. With the latter he recorded the album "Escalator over the Hill".
In 1972 he recorded his first album as a leader entitled "Il giro del giorno in 80 mondi" with the quartet formed by Bruce Johnson on guitar, Marcello Melis on double bass and Chip White on drums. In those years the trumpeter traveled between Italy, Argentina and the United States to give concerts and make recordings with formations of local instrumentalists. The album "Pupa o Crisalide", recorded in Rome, New York and Buenos Aires, bears witness to this.
Between 1977 and 1979 Rava performed in a series of concerts in Europe with the quintet formed by the pianist Bobo Stenson, the double bass player Palle Danielsson and the drummer Jon Christensen and the trio with Massimo Urbani, bassist J. F. Jenny Clarke and drummer Aldo Romano. In the same period he recorded the album "The Pilgrim and the Stars" for the ECM label.
In the following years he recorded numerous albums with young Italian musicians, also covering an essential role of talent scout, among them: Stefano Bollani, Mauro Ottolini, Paolo Fresu, Giovanni Guidi, Andrea Pozza, Gianluca Petrella, Julian Oliver Mazzariello, Daniele Tittarelli. In the 2000s he recorded the albums "Easy Living", "The Third Man", in duo with pianist Stefano Bollani", "The New York Days", "Rava on the Dance Floor", dedicated to Michael Jackson, "For Mario", with British musician and producer Matthew Herbert and pianist Giovanni Guidi.
During his ten-year career Enrico Rava has collaborated with the elite of international jazz: Pat Metheny, Paul Motian, Carla Bley, John Abercrombie, Joe Henderson, Joe Lovano, John Taylor, Roswell Rudd, Gil Evans, Lee Konitz, Enrico Pieranunzi and many others.
Essential discography: The Forest and the Zoo con Steve Lacy (1996 – ESP), Jazz a Confronto 14 (1974 – Horo Records), Il giro del giorno in 80 mondi (1972 – Black Saint), Pupa o Crisalide (1975 – RCA), The Pilgrim and the Stars (1975 – ECM), The Plot (1976 – ECM), Rava String Band (1984 – Soul Note), Animals (1987 – Gala Records), Rava, l’opera va (1993 – Label Blue), Rava Plays Rava con Stefano Bollani (2000 – Philology), Easy Living (2004 – ECM), The Third Man con Stefano Bollani (2006 – ECM), New York Days (2007 – ECM), Rava on the Dance Floor (2012 – ECM), For Mario (2020 – Accidental Records)
The other Tenco – Montellanico/Rava
Album entitled L'altro Tenco by Ada Montellanico's quartet together with Enrico Rava. The album was recorded on 8 May 1996 at Studio Mora (Civitanova Marche) and published by the Philology label Ada Montellanico: vocals/Enrico Rava: trumpet/Enrico Pieranunzi: keyboards/Fabio Zeppetella: guitar/Piero Leveratto: double bass/Fabrizio Sferra: drums In the album L'altro Tenco, the singer and author Ada Montellanico,...
But not love – Pieranunzi/Montellanico
Album entitled Ma l'amore no by the pianist Enrico Pieranunzi's trio with the singer Ada Montellanico, Lee Konitz and Enrico Rava. The album was recorded on 16 and 17 February 1997 at the Mu Rec Studio in Milan and published by the Soul Note label. Enrico Pieranunzi (piano), Piero Leveratto (double bass), Mauro Beggio (drums),...
Jazz Music – Awakening in Turin
Article (by Gian Carlo Roncaglia) appeared in the magazine Musica Jazz of August/September 1969 entitled "Awakening in Turin", concerning the jazz initiatives organized in the Piedmontese capital. In 1969 various jazz events were organized in Turin: at the Conference Hall in the Gallery of Modern Art, at the Teatro Stabile, where the trumpeter Enrico Rava performed with the...
Jazz Music – What's happening in Rome
Article by Nico Valerio entitled "What happens in Rome" appeared in the magazine Musica Jazz (March 1975) The article gives an overview of the recording and concert novelties of the Rome jazz scene. The "Making Music" collective of Patrizia Scascitelli and Mario Schiano, with Maurizio Giammarco, Roberto Della Grotta,...
Jazz Music – Macerata Festival
Article (by Giuseppe Dalla Bona) appeared in the magazine Musica Jazz (October 1977) on the 1977 Macerata Jazz Festival The Macerata Jazz Festival is organized on 22, 23, 24 July 1977 at the Arena Sferisterio. The bill saw the presence of various Italian and foreign musicians: the trio of pianist Enrico Pieranunzi with Bruno...
Jazz in Rai
Article (by Umberto Santucci) appeared in the magazine Musica Jazz of August/September 1969 entitled "Ancora Jazz alla RAI", concerning the RAI concert season of 1969. The season of concerts organized in the RAI studios, curated by the presenter and music critic Adriano Mazzoletti, were dedicated to exponents of American and European jazz: the trio of...
Opening Night – Enrico Rava Quartet
Album entitled "Opening Night" by Enrico Rava's quartet recorded in 1981 at Tonstudio Bauer (Ludwigsburg) and released in 1982 by the ECM Records label. Enrico Rava: trumpet, flugelhorn/Franco D'Andrea: piano/Furio Di Castri: double bass/Aldo Romano: drums, guitar Contribution shared by Furio Di Castri External links: Interiors (Live) · Enrico Rava · Joe Lovano
Animals – Enrico Rava 4uartet
Album entitled "Animals" by Enrico Rava's quartet. The album was recorded on 2, 3, 4, 5 June 1987 at the Psycho Recording studios in Milan and released by the Gala Records label Enrico Rava: trumpet, flugelhorn/Augusto Mancinelli: electric guitar, synth guitar/Furio Di Castri: double bass/Mario Beggio: drums Contribution shared by Enrico Pieranunzi External links:...
Pupa or Chrysalis – Enrico Rava
Album entitled "Pupa o Crisalide" by trumpeter Enrico Rava, released in 1975 for the RCA label Around the mid-seventies Enrico Rava traveled between Italy, Argentina and the United States to give concerts and make recordings with local instrumental formations. The album "Pupa o Crisalide" was recorded in Rome (15-16 July 1974), New...
Rava l'opera and
Video of the Concert "Rava l'opera va" by Enrico Rava at the Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza In 1993 the CD "Rava, l'opera va" was published by the Label Bleu label in which the trumpeter, with the collaboration of the double bass player and Bruno Tommaso orchestra, revisits music by Puccini ("Tosca", "Manon Lescaut", "Fanciulla del West"), Pergolesi (with some parts extracted...
Top Jazz in Italy
Album entitled "Top Jazz in Italy" containing the unreleased recording of the concert organized by the magazine "Musica Jazz" at the Teatro Ciak in Milan on March 7, 1983 with the soloists and formations that had collected the highest number of votes in the "Top Jazz" referendum organized by the magazine among critics, sector journalists, columnists...
Terry/Lacy/Rava
In the photo (from left) Lilian Terry, Steve Lacy and Enrico Rava at the American Academy in Rome in 1966. Lilian Terry was an Italian jazz singer and presenter of RAI television and radio programs. After graduating in piano from the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome, Lilian Terry collaborated, between the 1950s...
The New Village On The Left
Album entitled "New Village On The Left", by double bass player and composer Marcello Melis, recorded in May 1976 at the Downtown Studio in New York. The album features trumpeter Enrico Rava, drummer Don Moye, trombonist Roswell Rudd and the Rubanu Group, originally from Orgosolo (Sardinia). Marcello Melis participates in 1974...
Enrico Rava and Marcello Melis
In the photos (by Nina Contini Melis) trumpeter Enrico Rava with double bass player Marcello Melis in Rome in 1968. Enrico Rava returned to Rome from New York in 1968 to complete the paperwork relating to his residence in the United States. He stays in the apartment of his friend the double bass player Marcello Melis, in the Trastevere district, and frequents the Music Inn jazz club in ...
Enrico Rava at the Siena Jazz Seminars
In the photos the trumpeter Enrico Rava at the Siena Jazz Seminars in 1983. Contribution shared by Enrico Rava
Enrico Rava - Musician of the world
In the years of the "Dolce Vita" a young Enrico Rava stayed in Rome in a furnished room near Via Sistina; he plays regularly at the "Purgatorio", a jazz club housed in a basement of the famous restaurant "Meo Patacca" in the Trastevere district, together with the Argentinian saxophonist Gato Barbieri, the pianist Franco D' Andrea, the drummer Gegé Munari and the double bass ...
Massimo Urbani with Enrico Rava
In the photo (by Roberto Masotti) saxophonist Massimo Urbani together with trumpeter Enrico Rava in concert. During the tour in Italy in 1972 Enrico Rava meets in Rome a young talent of Italian jazz, Massimo Urbani. Impressed by his way of playing, the trumpeter decides to let him join the formation that accompanies him in concert....
Rava/Bollani/Fresu/
In the photos the trumpeter Enrico Rava with, among others, the pianist Stefano Bollani and the trumpeter Paolo Fresu. Contribution shared by Enrico Rava External links: Enrico Rava, Stefano Bollani – The usual things Bandoleros – Enrico Rava Stefano Bollani
Enrico Rava at the Saint Louis in Rome
In the photos by Andrea Pacioni the trumpeter Enrico Rava at the Saint Louis in Rome. Enrico Rava, in the mid-sixties, stays in Rome where he plays regularly with Gato Barbieri, Franco D'Andrea, Gegé Munari and Gianni Foccià at the "Purgatorio", a jazz club located in a basement of the well-known restaurant "Meo Patacca" in the Trastevere area From Rome....
Enrico Rava and Franco D'Andrea
In the photos trumpeter Enrico Rava with pianist Franco D'Andrea. At the end of the eighties Enrico Rava formed the group "Quatre", with the pianist Franco D'Andrea, the double bass player Miroslav Vitous (ex Weather Report) and the drummer Daniel Humair. The first concert of the quartet is held by the quartet in the RAI headquarters in Turin, to which...
Rava Plays Rava - Rava / Bollani
Album dal titolo “Rava Plays Rava” del trombettista Enrico Rava in duo col pianista Stefano Bollani, registrato il 23 giugno del 1999 presso lo studio “Le Bozze” di Livorno e pubblicato dall’etichetta Philology. Collegamenti esterni: Stefano Bollani & Enrico Rava Duet – Umbria Jazz
Konitz/Rava Quartet – L'Age Mur
Album entitled "L'Age Mur" by Enrico Rava's quartet with Lee Konitz recorded at the Murec Studio in Milan in February 1997 and released by the Philology label. Lee Konitz: alto sax/Enrico Rava: trumpet/Rosario Bonaccorso: double bass/Massimo Manzi: drums
Jazz in Comparison 14 – Enrico Rava
Album recorded by trumpeter Enrico Rava for the series "Jazz a Confronto" published by the Horo label of the producer Aldo Sinesio. The disc was recorded on November 18, 1974 at the Titania Studios in Rome Enrico Rava: trumpet/Massimo Urbani: alto sax/Calvin Hill: bass/Nestor Astarita: drums. External links: Enrico Rava – Jazz in Comparison 14 Enrico Rava...
Shades of Chet
Album entitled "Shades of Chet" recorded in May 1999 at the Diapason Studio in Rome by the quintet formed by Enrico Rava and Paolo Fresu (trumpet), Stefano Bollani (piano), Enzo Pietropaoli (double bass), Roberto Gatto (drums). External links: “Shades of Chet” Live Umbria Jazz 2001
Rava – String Band
Album entitled "Rava - String Band" by trumpeter Enrico Rava recorded at the Barigozzi Studio in Milan in 1984. The album features, among others, the percussionist Nana Vasconcelos, the double bass player Giovanni Tommaso, the drummer Tony Oxley and the guitarist Augusto Mancinelli. External links: Enrico Rava – Official Site Tony Oxley – Biography
Enrico Rava and Enrico Pieranunzi at Saint Louis
In the photo (by Andrea Pacioni) the trumpeter Enrico Rava and the pianist Enrico Pieranunzi at the Saint Louis in Rome. Contribution from the book “Jazz Moment” edited by Adriano Mazzoletti, Marco Molendini and Stefano Mastruzzi External links: Enrico Rava / Enrico Pieranunzi – Nausicaa Enrico Rava – Enrico Pieranunzi – Coralie
Quintet by Enrico Rava
In the photo trumpeter Enrico Rava with the quintet formed by Joe Henderson, John Taylor, Furio Di Castri and Paul Motian in concert at the Teatro Carignano in Turin in May 1988. Contribution shared by Furio Di Castri External links: Enrico Rava Quintet feat. Joe Lovano – Padova Jazz Festival 2018 Lost And Found – Enrico...
Concert: Enrico Rava's Quintet
Audio del concerto del 1988 a Trento del quintetto formato da: Enrico Rava: tromba Joe Henderson: sassofono John Taylor: pianoforte Furio Di Castri: contrabbasso Paul Motian: batteria Contributo condiviso da Furio Di Castri Collegamenti esterni: Paul Motian trio w/Joe Lovano & Bill Frisell – Hamburg, February 23, 1998 Outsider – Enrico Rava
Rava – Katcharpari
Album entitled "Katcharpari" by trumpeter Enrico Rava recorded in January 1973 in Milan. The formation that accompanies the trumpeter is composed by Bruce Johnson (bass), John Abercrombie (guitar) and Chip “Superfly” White (drums). The record reflects the cosmopolitan vision of Enrico Rava who has been inspired by his ...
Live At JazzBo ’90
Album entitled "Live At JazzBo '90" recorded live on 23 February 1990 at the Multisala Auditorium in Bologna as part of the JazzBo '90 Festival and released by the Philology label in 2006 Franco D'Andrea: piano/Enrico Rava: trumpet , flugelhorn/Massimo Urbani: alto sax/Giovanni Tommaso: double bass/Aldo Romano: drums External links: Massimo Urbani /Franco D'Andrea trio Rava D'Andrea For Bix...
Rava / Urbani - Concert at the RAI
Film of the concert of Enrico Rava's quintet in the RAI studios. Enrico Rava: trumpet/ Massimo Urbani: alto sax/Bobo Stenson: piano/Palle Danielsson: double bass/Jon Christensen: drums. During the tour in Italy, Enrico Rava met the young Roman saxophonist Massimo Urbani. Impressed by his way of playing he decides to let him join his group with which he starts ...
Enrico Rava & Gato Barbieri
Photo (by Giancarlo Roncaglia) of trumpeter Enrico Rava with Argentinian saxophonist Gato Barbieri in Turin in the early 1960s. In 1966 Enrico Rava together with saxophonist Steve Lacy left Rome to reach Argentina. Following a year's stay in the South American country, the trumpeter settles in New York, where he comes into contact ...
Stereokonitz
Album entitled "Stereokonitz" by the American saxophonist Lee Konitz recorded in October 1968 in the RCA studios in Rome. The quartet that accompanied Lee Konitz consisted of: Franco D'Andrea (piano), Enrico Rava (trumpet), Giovanni Tommaso (double bass), Gegè Munari (drums) Note: "Stereokonitz" is the first recording work recorded by the Merano pianist Franco D'Andrea with Lee...
Crucial moment - Giorgio Azzolini
Album entitled “Crucial Moment” by Giorgio Azzolini recorded at Fonorama Studio in Milan on June 27, 1968. Giorgio Azzolini: leader, double bass player/Enrico Rava: trumpeter/Franco D'Andrea: piano/Aldo Romano: drummer External links: Giorgio Azzolini Big Band • Free Man (1971) Giorgio Azzolini – Tribute To Someone (1964) Giorgio Azzolini – Blues deflection
A Beautiful Grit - Piero Umiliani
Soundtrack of the film "Una Bella Grinta" (directed by Giuliano Montaldo) composed and directed by Piero Umiliani, recorded in 1965 for the CAM label. The music of the film is performed by the quintet formed by: Gato Barbieri (soprano saxophone and leader), Franco D'Andrea (piano), Enrico Rava (trumpet), Gegè Munari (drums), Gianni Foccià (double bass). Training during the...
Giorgio Gaslini Ensemble And Quartet
In the photo the "Giorgio Gaslini Ensemble E Quartet": (from left) Giorgio Gaslini, Don Cherry, Steve Lacy, Jean-François Jenny Clark, Gato Barbieri, Kent Carter, Enrico Rava, Gianni Bedori, Franco Tonani and Aldo Romano. With this formation, the pianist and composer Giorgio Gaslini recorded in 1966 the suite in four movements entitled "Nuovi Sentimenti" (new feelings)....
Bella - Rava / Pieranunzi / Pietropaoli / Cat
Album entitled "Bella" by the quartet formed by Enrico Rava (trumpet), Enrico Pieranunzi (piano), Enzo Pietropaoli (double bass) and Roberto Gatto (drums). The album was recorded in 1994 and released by the producer Paolo Piangiarelli's Philology label. External links: Enrico Rava Official Site Enrico Rava – Amarsi Un Po
New Feelings – Gaslini
Album entitled “Nuovi Sentimenti (new feelings), suite by Giorgio Gaslini. The disc was recorded on February 4, 1966 (from 2.30 pm to midnight) in the studio of the Basilica in Milan for the "La Voce del Padrone" label. The “Gaslini Ensemble E Quartet was made up of: Giorgio Gaslini (piano and leader), Gianni Bedori (alto sax and...
