PRJC Zoom Jazz Talk: Rooted in Bass with Dr. Philip Ravita

Dr. Ravita brings a bass "walk" through the 20th century featuring early jazz players and music through more modern forms of jazz.

Bassist and composer Dr. Philip Ravita of Ravita Jazz presents Rooted in Bass. In this discussion, Dr. Ravita will explore the role of the bass in Jazz throughout the 20th Century until current times. Highlighted will be artists such as Slam Stewart, James Jamerson, Scott Lafaro, Jimmy Blanton, Ron Carter, Ray Brown, Paul Chambers and more. Enjoy Early Jazz, Swing Fusion jazz, funk, and Blues. The audience will be treated to such classics such as Joe Ferrell’s “Penny Arcade,” and Marving Gaye’s “What’s Going On.” Also included are Ann Peebles “I Can’t Stand the Rain,” and a mash up of classic jazz and fusion songs Fool in the Rain Jazz and Sunny Side of the Street (Jones, Page, Plant/Fields) as heard on Ravita Jazz’s new CD Alice Blue. Music Journalist Raul da Gama calls the music "relevant and enduring," lauding the album's "beautifully crafted arrangements." Scott Yanow comments “Alice Blue, features the musicians of Ravita Jazz in top form and is easily recommended.” Ravita jazz is getting airplay throughout North America!

One of the Mid-Atlantic’s most versatile and sought after bassists, Dr. Ravita appears with many jazz and classical ensembles. D. Oscar Grooms of O’s Place Jazz Magazine states that Ravita is “One of the finest jazz bassists outside of New York.” Ravita is a college and university jazz and classical bass professor and hosts a weekly radio program on WMTB 89.9 FM. He has shared the stage with music greats Joe, Coleman, Jimmy Heath, Bobby Shew, Claudio Roditi and Ruby Glover, appearing in countless clubs, concert halls and festivals. He has won critical acclaim for his work on the group’s 2021 Jagged Spaces. Ravita released the critically acclaimed albums Oriana in 2023 and Alice Blue in 2025.

The PRJC's Jazz Talks are FREE to the public, but "donation" tickets are always appreciated to keep this program going. Registration is required before 5:00p.m. the day of the talk to receive the Zoom link for the presentation.