The International Art of Jazz Series at SAC featuring Ada Rovatti Quintet.
Italian native Ada Rovatti started playing saxophone in high school after years of classical piano training. After winning a scholarship from Berklee College of Music in Italy she divided herself between Boston where she studied with Joe Viola, George Garzone and Italy where she was working in Big Bands with guest artists such as Phil Woods, Lee Konitz, Bob Mintzer and Randy Brecker. After spending one year in Paris touring Europe and Africa she moved to new York City.
She has performed in important festivals such as JVC in NYC Rochester Jazz Festival, IAJE, Detroit Jazz Fest, Montreal Jazz Fest appearing and performing with an impressive and diverse list of artists and bands such as Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Miroslav Vitous, John McLaughlin, Anne Ducros, Bob Mintzer, Victor Bailey, Rodney Holmes, Joanne Brackeen, Tony Levin and many others. In addition to her musical expertise Ada appeared in the movie “Mona Lisa Smile” featuring Julia Roberts.
In 2003 she released her first 2 CDs as a bandleader with the Elephunk Band and with her quartet with guests Randy Brecker, Mike Stern and Don Alias. She also appears on the Grammy CD by Randy Brecker, 34th N LexESC Records (best contemporary jazz album of 2003), and on the acclaimed CD of John McLaughlin Industrial Zen (2006). Drive magazine raved about this graceful Italian jazzista in a CD review of “Under the Hat”. Critics voted “Under the Hat” number one in the Revelation category of 2003 in the Brazilian newspaper Tribuna De Imprensa. Her 2005 release “Airbop” featured guest artists Bob Mintzer, Randy Brecker and Don Alias. This recording was nominated by one of the critics of “All About Jazz” as one of the top ten CDs of the year. Her newly released album “Green Factor” is a unique recording with a melting pot of Irish/Celtic/Jazz/Fusion influences, strong harmonies and sophisticated arrangements with guest artists Adam Rogers, Randy Brecker and Ivan Goff.
