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Kelly Roberti

Kelly Roberti is a world-acclaimed musician and composer from Bozeman, Montana. His musical roots reach back over forty-five years to a childhood steeped in all genres by a family of music teachers and performers. Having played his first gig at the age of 11, his experiences have led to "street smart" technical skills on the bass and have translated into original compositions, performances, and workshop/clinics with the legendary musical giants of our times. Roberti's style is a powerful blend of musical passion layered with an insightful grace and a spiritual edge.

Utilizing innovative techniques which break down traditional barriers yet respect their values and influences, Roberti currently teaches improvisational thought to private students on every instrument as well as technical studies. His compositional style incorporates a wide array of influences and he is an inventive arranger of popular fare. His music reflects everything from Tin Pan Alley to ethnic world music with an awareness of the underlying harmonic and rhythmic structures affecting the listener on multiple levels. Kelly also writes lyrics for many of his compositions and he is a published poet.

Roberti's prodigious and virtuosic bass performance has been heralded as both tenacious and groundbreaking. He performs in group settings and solo outings. Listeners applaud his playing as:"an original and soulful improviser with chops almost unheard of until now.."St. Louis Post- Dispatch. “...earthy and meticulous bassist whose lines underpin the ensemble with roots and flair... an heir apparent to the late Charles Mingus.” LA Reader.

“True music is an indefinable communication. It is physics, philosophy, history, mathematics and to me a big dose of romance. Of course it is always about the illusive heart, and can only be what you've lived or dreamed, the pulse of our nature. I want to give to it what I have been given. I want to contribute to the tradition, the true human condition and to the next generation.” --K. Roberti

A Critical and popular response indicates that Roberti is achieving this mission, both for himself and for his audiences.

Kelly Roberti has a list of over one hundred and fifty tours with musical giants and legends in jazz, rock, and world music to his credit such as Arnett Cobb, Eddie Harris, Peter Gabriel, Freddie Hubbard, Tommy Flanagan, David Murray and many more. Kelly also sports an impressive array of teaching credentials at many major educational institutes. He has contributed to fifty-four recordings and is preparing two more (the next one being a ballads CD featuring Jeni Fleming, Eric Funk and Alan Fauque) as of now. Kelly has performed at nearly every major venue, both clubs and festivals, on five continents.

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Jazz Man: Kelly Roberti Honored with 2010 Montana Governor's Arts Award

Jazz Man: Kelly Roberti Honored with 2010 Montana Governor's Arts Award

Source: Michael Ricci

From The BOZEMAN DAILY CHRONICLE: by Rachel Hergett

As a child, Kelly Roberti pondered what instruments people played, assuming that the whole world was one big orchestra. “Obviously he plays the tuba," Roberti said of an imagined passerby. “That guy's a flute..." The son of a piano teacher and musical supervisor in public schools, Roberti never wanted to be anything other than a musician. “I was caught, spellbound as a child by music." Roberti, 55, considers himself a bassist, composer ...

" Kelly Roberti is a seasoned, authentic jazz artist who has occupied the world's stages with the legends. He is a true treasure to Montana."

Pianist, composer and music professor Eric Funk


" Roberti is quite literally a shaman of the bass with the ability to take the receptive listener into a wonderland of thought. His inner warmth and maturity shine through whether soloing or in a supportive role."

Village Voice


" Kelly Roberti's bass is rock solid and his solos are a wonderful display of how to give a tune a signature."

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