I am passionate about jazz music, chess and games in general. I have made music my profession, but I consider myself superior as a chess player. I am tender and affectionate with my piano, but do not provoke me during a game of risk, when I play I am ruthless and heartless.
Music is a gift meant for everyone, and in these pages I do my best to tell you about this great passion of mine. If I can inspire you at least a little, my mission will be accomplished!
Some information
Leo Ravera holds a diploma in piano from the Conservatory of La Spezia, a degree in foreign languages and literature from the University of Pisa, and a diploma in jazz music from the Conservatory of Livorno. He has performed on numerous occasions in various European countries: Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, Holland, Germany, Slovenia. He has recorded two albums with saxophonist Andrea Imparato: Dear Legacy (2008), Jazzola (2009). He produced and recorded the CD Salsamba with the group of the same name, which he created. He participated in the recording of the album Vibes & Moods with double bass player Giovanni Sanguineti. He took part in the musical “Dirty Dancing” performing in over 15 performances (autumn 2014). With his formation “Leo Ravera Jazz Trio”, he collaborates with actress Anna Maria Barbera, with whom he has performed in shows and TV programmes in Italy and Switzerland.
He has collaborated with some important musicians on the Italian and international scene, including:: Luciano Milanese, Federico Bertelli, Andrea Imparato, Alberto Benicchi, Gianni Cazzola, Giangi Zucchini, Aldo Zunino, Massimo Chiarella, Fulvio Chiara, Stefano Guazzo, Giovanni Sanguineti (Italy); Olexander Vasilenko (Ukraine); Lucineh Hovanissian (Armenia); Marcos Borges, Rod Olivera, Patricia Moreyra (Brazil); Mariano Steinberg (Argentina); Cristian Oriol (Spain); Leona Laviscount, Richard Gerber, Mike Campagna (USA). In addition to his concert activity, he teaches courses and seminars on various topics.
Leo Ravera, Curriculum Vitae
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My videos
A samba for piano ribattuto study, spring 2020
An American classic, autumn 2019
Balcony rehearsal, summer 2019
A classic Christmas song
A Christmas song recorded to wish friends a happy Christmas. As our daughter Teresa rattled on in the background, we decided to make a video with Anna’s pregnancy photos. We really enjoyed recording this song!
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas was first performed in 1944 by Judy Garland in the film Meet Me in Saint-Louis and is a classic Christmas song, although unlike other Christmas songs it is full of melancholy.
A song dedicated to my friend Marcello Brandolini
I recorded this song at home, using the warm sound of the electric piano to play one of my favourite standards Like Someone in Love. I then asked Marcello to give me some photos to make a video and he gave me some beautiful views of the Alpi Apuane: here is the result.
Piano solo: Stormy Weather by Harold Arlen
A short concert dedicated to Harold Arlen, performed in the beautiful setting of the Teatro Animosi in Carrara on the occasion of a medical conference. It is difficult to listen to oneself and look at oneself without finding a thousand faults, but I had a lot more hair than I do now…
A song with my friend Andrea Imparato
Andrea is a great ‘talker’, especially at night. That’s why, once in a while, coming back from a concert, with me at the wheel and him at my side, talking incessantly, I happened to take a wrong turn, which prolonged the journey considerably… and Andrea’s stories too.
This recording of I Keep Loving You is taken from the album Jazzola, featuring Marco Bartalini (trumpet), Luciano Milanese (double bass) and Gianni Cazzola (drums).
A very special meeting: Leona Laviscount
Leona Laviscount has worked with legendary people like Cab Calloway and Philly Joe Jones, she has performed as a dancer for many years and all over the world. She came to Italy in the 80s, which was lucky for me because I got to know her and play with her. Despite performing in big theatres, Leona has continued to get nervous before a performance, even in a bar or as in this case in the square of a small town.
We play the ballad In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning, together with another great friend of mine: the saxophone player Alberto Benicchi.
A night with Freddy
Federico Bertelli is one of the great musical encounters of my life. He is a musician who is always looking for new things, from film music to Brazilian choro and bebop. For this concert, he asked me to play only pieces by Tadd Dameron. It was not easy! On this evening, our quartet had trumpeter Fabrizio Bosso as a guest.
My soundcloud channel
Here you can listen to some piano solo recordings, and to some songs I play with Emiliano Loconsolo, Richard Gerber, Susanna Graziani, Andrea Imparato
SalSamba Trio
To watch some videos from my latin jazz band Salsamba Trio visit this website: