By Debra R. Cerritelli
What is Jazz for Peace? This is a question I have
answered thousands of times in the past three years.
Jazz for Peace is an organization founded by Rick
DellaRatta and its purpose is to reach out to
individuals and organizations on both sides of
conflicting issues, believing that if we as a species
embrace qualities such as creativity, artistry,
intellectuality, humanity, individuality, etc. we will
all have a better chance of avoiding the behavior that
leads to destruction. On Oct. 8th 2001 Jazz Greats Rick
DellaRatta, Paquito D'Rivera, Eddie Gomez and Lenny
White performed the first Jazz for Peace Concert at Troy
Music Hall in NY. “Jazz for Peace” received world wide
recognition and acclaim for their concert at the United
Nations on Sept. 25th 2002 which united Israeli,
Palestinian and American Jazz musicians (along with Jazz
musicians representing three other continents) in a
performance which is now widely considered “One of the
most significant Cultural Events of our time!” From this
event heard 'round the world came funding for a Benefit
Concert Series that has now raised funds, publicity and
awareness world wide.
Rick DellaRatta was born and raised in Schenectady,
New York. As a child his interest was stirred when he
spied on a jolly looking piano mover who he believed was
Santa Claus. Rick started studying piano at the age of
(8) eight and played with this first band in high
school. In college he majored in Classical Music. Rick's
life changed when he was accidentally exposed to jazz at
a library, he came across many records and became
intrigued by the large selections of artists and
recordings. Rick DellaRatta is now considered by many to
be one of the finest Singer/Pianists performing today
and one of only a handful of Jazz Artists who can make a
successful musical presentation to a large audience
without having to abandon the true art form of Jazz.
Through his life long endeavor to help advance people to
their highest potential through the understanding of
Jazz as well as spreading peace worldwide through his
“Jazz for Peace World Tour”, Rick DellaRatta is
considered to be an innovator and a visionary. His
unique and original piano playing and composing has been
compared in print to Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Wayne
Shorter, Bill Evans, McCoy Tyner, Keith Jarrett, Joe
Zawinul, Horace Silver, Oscar Peterson and Thelonious
Monk while his signature vocal sound and style has been
likened to Chet Baker, Billy Holiday, Joao Gilberto,
Ivan Lins, Michael Franks and Antonio Carlos Jobim. Rick
DellaRatta has played with the greatest artists and in
Jazz Clubs and Festivals all over the world. He also has
received recognition and numerous awards for his
talents.
Three years ago I attended my first Jazz for Peace
Benefit Concert. It was one of the first from their
“New” Benefit Concert Series before they had a
following. I knew very little about Jazz at that time
and I witnessed the most amazing talent, playing great
music. After the concert I introduced myself to Rick and
we discussed his ideas and his mission to unite people
through the art form of Jazz and creating world peace
through his music. I was drawn to his visions, facts and
music, especially that Jazz is a Universal language
where we can gather people regardless of color, creed
and religion. Not knowing much about the non-profit
world or the music industry and using his lyrics from
his poem. “When we fill our souls up with creativity,
artistry, and intelligence, we have a better chance at
avoiding the behavior that leads to destruction” I
enjoyed helping Rick by spreading his visions with his
multi-cultured musicians and all the organizations that
we have worked with. From the success of our benefit
concert series we launched our Educational Series
bringing Jazz into the schools along with our Instrument
Donation Program providing musical instruments to under
privileged children all over the world. I am happy to
say last month we have celebrated our 300th Concert.
Working with Rick, Jazz for Peace, all the wonderful
musicians and organizations we have raised funds,
awareness and publicity for has certainly been a very
rewarding experience for me. I share the thoughts, ideas
and experiences with my children with the hope they will
carry it forward. To quote Rick from his song titled
“Jazz for Peace”, “the gift of giving is one of our
greatest privileges”.
I have asked myself many times why someone as
talented as Rick would go through the struggle and
dedicate his life and music to this cause. We certainly
cannot save the world anytime soon and it is not easy to
get people on board and convince them to join our
mission in this very untrusting world. Perhaps if we all
did our share we could at least be a step closer to
world peace with a convenient truth that people will
follow.
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