Rick DellaRatta:
From Tragedy to Jazz
On the morning of 9/11, Rick DellaRatta
climbed to his rooftop, unaware his life was about to change. Witnessing the tragedy inspired a poem that evolved into a global movement uniting people through music.
Bio
Long known as one of the world’s finest Jazz Pianists, Rick DellaRatta also began to receive major recognition as a composer when his symphonic piece “Permutata” was recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra at the Beatles famed Abbey Rd., Studios in 1999, and as a unique and important vocalist in 2004 when he was included in a definitive listing of the greatest jazz singers of all time in Scott Yanow’s Book “Jazz Singers”.
Through his life long endeavor to help advance people to their highest potential through the understanding of Jazz as well as spreading peace worldwide through his “Jazz for Peace World Tour”, Rick DellaRatta is considered to be an innovator and a visionary, a designation that became known by many when he was included by The Foundation Center in their list of the top musician philanthropists of our time along with Bono (U2), Elton John, Peter Gabriel and Sting.
Topics
- The transformative power of witnessing history firsthand.
- How music can bridge cultural, political, and religious divides.
- The origin and global impact of “Jazz for Peace.”
- Stories from the 850+ benefit concerts Rick has performed worldwide.
- The role of artists in addressing global challenges.
- The hidden commonalities between people of conflicting backgrounds.
- Turning tragedy into a platform for change and unity.
Guiding Questions
- Can you take us back to that morning on 9/11 and what led you to your rooftop?
- What inspired you to transform the poem into a global movement?
- Can you share a memorable moment from one of your 850+ benefit concerts?
- How have your travels and collaborations shaped your understanding of cultural unity?
- How has “Jazz for Peace” evolved since its inception?
- What do you believe music can accomplish that other mediums cannot?
- If you could share one lesson from your journey, what would it be?