Italian born Ada Rovatti started playing saxophone in high school after years of classical piano training. She won a scholarship to Berklee College of Music and divided her time between Boston and studies with George Garzone and Italy working in big bands. Afterward, she time spent in Paris and toured Europe and Africa, and then, like so many before her, moved to New York City.
Ada has performed at many festivals including the JVC and the Rochester, Detroit and Montreal Jazz Festivals and with an impressive list of top artists and bands, including Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Miroslav Vitous, John McLaughlin, James Moody, Anne Ducros, Bob Mintzer, Victor Bailey, Joanne Brackeen, Aretha Franklin, Herbie Hancock, Vinnie Colaiuta, Jimmmy Heath, Patti Austin and many others.
She has been recording as a leader since 2003 when Ada Rovatti and the Elephunk Band invited are guests Randy Brecker, Mike Stern and Don Alias. (She appears on Brecker’s 2003 Grammy-winning CD, 34thN Lex). Airbop (2005) featuring Bob Mintzer and Randy Brecker, was nominated for the All About Jazz annual Top Ten. Green Factor (2009) blends Irish/Celtic/jazz/fusion with strong harmonies. Her latest, Disguise (2014), features Zach Brock, Janek Gwizdala, Dana Hawkins, Randy Brecker, Dean Brown, Anne Drummond, Leo Genovese, Oli Rockberger and Adam Rogers.
Ada’s other appearances include CDs with John McLaughlin and Jeff Lorber among others and an all-star band turn at the 2012 Thelonious Monk Competition Kennedy Center Gala honoring Madeleine Albright. A regular in the Brecker Brother’s Reunion Band, she will appear on a soon-to-be-released double CD/DVD set live from the Bluenote plus a studio session.
This is Ada Rovatti’s first appearance at the Litchfield Jazz Festival. She will be joined by the great Steve Johns on drums, Daryl Johns on bass, and Jill McCarron on piano.
