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Ravita Jazz
Bassist, Composer, Band Leader, Jazz Radio Show Host
About Me
Phil Ravita is known widely in the Mid-Atlantic area as an acoustic and electric bassist performing in jazz, classical and other genres. He leads the ensemble Ravita Jazz, and is in demand as a guest artist performing with orchestras, big bands, theater bands and smaller ensembles. He also hosts the weekly radio program “Jazz on the Record” Mondays at 8:00 p.m. EST WMTB 89.9 FM. Tune in .
Ravita has shared the stage with music legends Joe Coleman, Jimmy Heath, Bobby Shew, Claudio Roditi, and Ruby Glover and leading East Coast artists Gabrielle Goodman, Diane Hoffman, Joyce Scott, Scott Wenholdt, Steve Wilson, Kim Nazazrain and Alex Norris. Closer to his Baltimore home, he has worked with artists such as Renée Georges, Sean Johnson, Herb Scott, Victor Provost, Akua Allrich, Thad Wilson, Geoff Reecer and Jen Krupa.
He is president and principal bass of the Baltimore Philharmonia Orchestra, section bass of the Trinity Chamber Orchestra of Washington, D.C. and belongs to the musicians’ unions of New York City, Washington D.C. and Baltimore.
He has appeared in countless clubs and concert halls in many cities. A short list includes Blues Alley, Mr. Henry’s, Takoma Station and Twins Jazz in D.C.; An die Musik Live, Baltimore Museum of Art, Buddy’s Jazz Club, The Haven and The Hippodrome in Baltimore; the Count Basie Theatre, Liberty House in New Jersey and Cornelia Street Café in NYC.
He has played festivals such as Artscape, the Calvin Jones Big Band Festival, the Frederick Jazz Festival, the Havre de Grace Jazz & Blues Festival, the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival and the Art in the Park Jazz Festival.
Ravita is heard on numerous recordings of classical, jazz and blues music, including many with the Baltimore Philharmonia Orchestra from 1999-2013. Earlier in his career he recorded with the John Turner Quartet, the Jim Stewart Trio and Ten Directions. More recently, he received critical acclaim for his work with Grasso-Ravita Jazz Ensemble on the group’s highly praised 2021 recording, Jagged Spaces. In April 2023 he released Oriana with Ravita Jazz. In May 2025 the band released Alice Blue.
His compositions were featured in composer showcases sponsored by Baltimore Jazz Alliance and Baltimore Composer’s Forum. His pieces “In the Back Door” and “Blue Sunshine” received awards in the 14th Annual Billboard International Song Contest.
In 2022, he introduced his band Ravita Jazz to jazz fans. Their extensive contemporary and historic repertoire is complemented by Ravita originals. The group’s unique and cohesive sound is already evident with the release of their first recording in 2023.
A university and college music professor, Ravita is a popular clinician. He holds a master’s degree in jazz performance from the University of Maryland, College Park (2011) and earned a doctorate in music education from Boston University in 2020.
He holds a master’s degree in jazz performance from University of Maryland, College Park (2011) and earned a doctorate in music education from Boston University in 2020. Dr. Ravita is a Maryland State Arts Council Touring Artist and uses Aguilar bass amplifiers, MONO cases and bags, and REMIC microphones.
My Jazz Story
My House Concert Story
During the pandemic, I hosted several live-stream concerts. Although it did not provide much in the way of income, it provided the group of musicians I work with the opportunity to get together and keep playing. Now that things are opening up again, The live-stream aspect is now a permanent addition to my performances. This is so that I can reach a worldwide audience.
