BIOGRAPHY
Phil Ravita is known widely in the DC and East Coast area as an acoustic and electric bassist performing in jazz, classical and other genres. He leads the ensemble Ravita Jazz, and is in demand as a guest artist performing with orchestras, big bands, theater bands and smaller ensembles.
Dr. Ravita holds a master’s degree in jazz performance from the University of Maryland, College Park (2011) and earned a doctorate in music education from Boston University in 2020. Dr. Ravita is a Maryland State Arts Council Touring Artist and uses Aguilar Bass Amplifiers, MONO cases and bags, and REMIC Microphones.
Dr. Ravita has shared the stage with jazz legends Jimmy Heath, Bobby Shew, Claudio Roditi, and Ruby Glover and leading East Coast artists Gabrielle Goodman, Diane Hoffman, Joyce Scott, Scott Wenholdt, Steve Wilson, Kim Nazazrain and Alex Norris. Closer to his Baltimore home, he has worked with artists such as Renée Georges, Sean Johnson, Herb Scott, Victor Provost, Akua Allrich, Thad Wilson, Geoff Reecer Chris Gekker, Paul Carr, and Jen Krupa.
He is president and principal bass of the Baltimore Philharmonia Orchestra, section bass of the Trinity Chamber Orchestra of Washington, D.C. and belongs to the musicians’ unions of New York City, Washington D.C. and Baltimore.
Ravita Jazz, has appeared in numerous clubs and concert halls in many cities. A short list includes Blues Alley, Mr. Henry’s, Takoma Station, Haydees, Marx Cafe, and Twins Jazz in D.C.; An die Musik Live, Baltimore Museum of Art, Buddy’s Jazz Club, The Haven, Caton Castle and The Hippodrome in Baltimore; the Count Basie Theater, Liberty House, Village Hall in New Jersey and Cornelia Street Café in NYC; Arterra Winery, jazz Clubs and Cherrydale concert series located in Delaplane, Alexandra, and Arlington in VA: Anne Marie Sculpture Garden in Southern Maryland and colleges and universities throughout Maryland
He has played festivals such as Artscape, the Calvin Jones Big Band Festival, the York Jazz Festival, the Frederick Jazz Festival, the Havre de Grace Jazz & Blues Festival, the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Cherrydale Concert Series, Babcock Concert Series, H Street Festival, and the Calvert County Jazz Festival and the Art in the Park Jazz Festival.
Dr. Ravita is heard on many recordings of classical, jazz and blues music, including many with the Baltimore Philharmonia Orchestra. Earlier in his career he recorded with the John Turner Quartet, the Jim Stewart Trio and Ten Directions. More recently, he received critical acclaim for his work on the group’s highly praised 2021 recording, Jagged Spaces. In April 2023 Ravita Jazz released Oriana. In May 2025, the band released the critically acclaimed CD Alice Blue.
His classical and Jazz compositions have revived critical acclaim were featured in composer showcases. These include his placement as a finalist in the 2025 WAMMIE Awards, showcases sponsored by Baltimore Jazz Alliance and Baltimore Composer’s Forum. His pieces received awards in the 14th Annual Billboard International Song Contest.
Dr. Ravita is a popular clinician. Ravita, a college and university jazz and classical bass professor, hosts a weekly radio program Monday Nights at 8PM .on WMTB 89.9 FM.