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Skip Grasso
Born:
Skip Grasso is a guitarist, composer, and educator based in Baltimore, Maryland. He has performed in a wide variety of musical settings from solo guitar to big bands throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. His 2021 release Jagged Spaces with the Grasso-Ravita Jazz Ensemble reached #31 on the JazzWeek chart. This recording of all original music featured four of his compositions including the title track. Following the success of Jagged Spaces, Skip was awarded the 2022 Pathways to Jazz Grant. In 2023, Skip released his debut recording as a leader Becoming which showcases him as both a guitarist and composer. The critically acclaimed recording introduced eight diverse originals in collaboration with Anthony Pocetti on piano, organ and electric piano, bassist Harvie S, and drummer Billy Drummond. Reaching #42 on JazzWeek chart, Becoming spent sixteen weeks in the top 100. As a sideman, Skip recorded The Don Junker Big Band’s Junkyard Dog, and The Hank Levy Alumni Band’s An Odd-Time Was Had By All. He has performed with such artists as Randy Brecker and The Lakewood Jazz Ensemble Big Band, singer Ethel Ennis, and saxophonists Chris Vadala, and Claire Daley.
The Grasso-Ravita Jazz Ensemble: Jagged Spaces
by Jack Bowers
The Baltimore-based Grasso-Ravita Jazz Ensemble is a congenial quintet co-led by guitarist Skip Grasso and bassist Phil Ravita. Its other members are saxophonist Benny Russell, pianist Greg Small and drummer Nuc Vega. Jagged Spaces, the group's debut recording, encompasses nine original compositions: four by Grasso, two each by Ravita and Russell, and one by Small.