When Rocco was 14 years old, he began to study clarinet at the Conservatory of Music of Bari

and four years later Rocco got his first gig with the Symphonic Orchestra of the Petruzzelli´s

Theatre of Bari, playing with great artists like Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, José

Carreras, Katia Ricciarelli.

After graduating in 1983 Rocco began to study saxophone as self-taught and in the meantime

he participated to the “clinics” with David Liebman, Michael Brecker, Eric Marienthal, Lee

Konitz.

In 1985 Rocco was part of J.S.O. (Jazz Studio Orchestra), a local big band where Rocco was first

alto saxophone section and in that time he got the opportunity to play with great musicians

like Dizzie Gillespie, Tony Scott, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Lee Konitz, Chet Baker, Art Farmer,

Lilian Terry, Joy Garrison, Bob Mintzer, Sal Nestico, Paolo Fresu, Rossana Casale, Tullio De

Piscopo, Emie Wilkins, Dusko Goykovic, Enrico Pieranunzi, Giorgio Gaslini and more.

In 1987 Rocco began to study piano and composition and in 1989 he became a member of

SIAE as a composer.

From 1989 to 1992 Rocco played with the great Italian singer Fred Bongusto with who he

performed in Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Australia and Italy. Besides he appeared in many

National Channel´s TV Shows like RAI 1, RAI 2, CANALE 5, and RETE 4.

After performing in over 20 different countries, Rocco played for hundreds of other artists´

records for many years and in 1993 Rocco discovered the great saxophone player Grover

Washington Jr. Rocco was captured by Grover´s sound and groove and for that reason Grover

became his “virtual” teacher until today.

On September, 2005 Rocco became a proud endorser of Beechler´s woodwinds products.

http://www.beechler.com

In 2005 also, Rocco recorded, arranged and produced the CD “Tribute to Grover Washington

Jr.” in memory of the late great saxophone player. This remarkable CD originally contained

only three tracks: “Winelight”, “Let it Flow” and “Make me a Memory”, (“Mr. Grover” and

“Come Morning” were added in 2006) but it was fundamental in making Rocco a household

name on Smooth Jazz stations across the Internet! His “Winelight” version was selected by

Sky.fm as one of “The Best of 2005” along with other 14 tracks. Ventrella continued creating

new recordings featuring his own compositions, including the soulful and haunting “I Receive

Your Love”. The Tribute CD and “I Receive Your Love” brought Rocco to the attention of

the American producer Bruce Nazarian (Anita Baker, Millie Scott, The Automatix), and an

international alliance was born!

The result of that collaboration was a new CD called “Give me the Grove”, is a unique global

collaboration that joined together in Los Angeles: Rocco Ventrella from Italy, his long time

friend Renato Falaschi from France and the producer/multi-instrumentalist Bruce Nazarian

from the USA in a smooth, yet funky showcase for Rocco´s performing and writing talents.

After hearing an early copy of the CD, Jimi King, Smooth Jazz Program´s Director of

www.SKY.fm named “Soulful Strut” as his Number One Smooth Jazz Track of 2006 in the end

of the year´s countdown, and placed two other Rocco´s tracks in the top 25 including “Alleria”,

and Rocco´s soulful reworking of “Feel like Makin´ Love”. Since it´s official release, this CD

has taken internet radio by storm!

“Give me the Groove” CD obtained quotes from George Duke, Dave Koz, Bob James, Chris

Standring, Everette Harp and in November 2007 Rocco was Pre-Nominated for the 50°

Grammy Award in the category of Contemporary Jazz Best Album 2007.

In May 2006 Rocco was invited to participate in the “James Brown Festival” in Augusta, G.A.

and played 2 sets on the same stage as James Brown, two hours before James´ Show.

“Rocco is already receiving some well-deserved attention for his debut CD in the form of

national radio play. He has a unique sound, a wonderful melodic sense and a great ability to

communicate on his instrument. I am looking forward to hearing where he goes in the future. It

looks bright to me”. Dave Koz (Capitol Records´ Smooth Jazz Artist). The musical integrity,

artistry, heart and soul of the saxophonist Rocco Ventrella can soon be heard on the album

“Give me the Groove” – his first official solo recording in quite a while – “I´ve been so busy

fulfilling commitments to play or record for other artists, or broadcast clients, and recording a

solo album never entered my mind until recently. Over the past few years, the desire to express

myself entirely within my own personal musical universe has inflamed into a burning passion…

“.

On January and February of 2008 Rocco was invited to give a clinic/concert at Berklee College

of Boston, obtaining considerable merits from Woodwind chair Bill Price. In this time in

Boston, Rocco played with great artists of Boston area like Sergio Bellotti, Spajazzy, Tino

D´Agostino, Frank Wilkins (WeJazzUp, Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau), Tim Ingles, Andre

Hayward (Joshua Redman Ensemble, Joe Lovano).

On July, 2008 Rocco became a proud endorser of Fiberreed´s products.

On August, 2008 Rocco has been invited as guest to play with the guitarist Peter White at 1° Annual Smooth Jazz Festival in Bregenz, Austria.

Actually Rocco is touring continuously and giving Master Classes. “I love being able to work

with young students and help them improve. There´s no better feeling than helping a player

achieve their goal”.

“We believe Rocco Ventrella to be a contemporary jazz artist of the new generation who is

without equal”.