BIOGRAPHY
Phil Ravita is known widely in the Mid-Atlantic area as an acoustic and electric bassist performing in jazz, classical and other genres. He leads the new ensemble Ravita Jazz, and is in demand as a guest artist performing with orchestras, big bands, theater bands and smaller ensembles. He also hosts the weekly radio program "Jazz on the Record" at 8:00 p.m. EST on WMTB 89.9 FM.
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 and Jen Krupa.
He is president and principal bass of the Baltimore Philharmonia Orchestra, principal 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.
He has appeared in countless clubs and concert halls in many cities. A short list includes Mr. Henry’s, Takoma Station and Twins Jazz in D.C.; An die Musik Live, Baltimore Museum of Art, Buddy’s Jazz Club, The Haven and The Hippodrome in Baltimore, the Count Basie Theatre in New Jersey and Cornelia Street Café in NYC.
He has played festivals such as Artscape, the Calvin Jones Big Band Festival, the Frederick Jazz Festival, the Havre de Grace Jazz & Blues Festival, the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival and the Art in the Park Jazz Festival.
Ravita is heard on numerous recordings of classical, jazz and blues music, including many with the Baltimore Philharmonia Orchestra from 1999-2013. 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 with Grasso-Ravita Jazz Ensemble on the group’s highly praised 2021 recording, Jagged Spaces. In April 2023 he released Oriana with Ravita Jazz.
His compositions were featured in composer showcases sponsored by Baltimore Jazz Alliance and Baltimore Composer’s Forum. His pieces “In the Back Door” and “Blue Sunshine" received awards in the 14th Annual Billboard International Song Contest.
In 2022, he introduced his band Ravita Jazz to East Coast jazz fans. Their extensive contemporary and historic repertoire is complemented by Ravita originals. The group’s unique and cohesive sound is already evident with the release of their first recording in 2023.
On faculty of Mount Saint Mary’s University, Prince Georges Community College, Harford Community College and the College of Southern Maryland, Ravita is a popular clinician and master class instructor.
He holds a master’s degree in jazz performance from 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.
Phil Ravita uses Aguilar Bass Amplifiers and REMIC Microphones.