Rick DellaRatta

Who is Rick DellaRatta?

The American jazz pianist, composer, and vocalist Rick DellaRatta not only performed and innovated in the jazz world for over three decades but also founded the social justice organization Jazz for Peace. You can find more information about the biography of Rick DellaRatta at the Encyclopedia of Jazz Musicians. Rick was born in Schenectady NY on October 23, 1961, the oldest of five children. Rick studied at the New England Conservatory, earning a Bachelors in Piano Performance, and a Masters in Jazz Composition. He studied jazz piano with Jackie Byard, Kenny Werner, Charlie Banacos, and Richie Bierach and classical piano with Thomas Stumpf and Stanley Hummell. He studied composition with William Thomas McKinnley. He has studied voice with John Mase, Carlton Doctor and Ilene Bush.

In 1997 Rick DellaRatta with bassist Eddie Gomez, saxist Dave Liebman and drummer Lenny White, released the album Thought Provoking. Jason Koransky of Downbeat Magazine considered this album to establish the long-time sideman and solo pianist/vocalist as a leader.