Kelly Roberti

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Born: November 13, 1954 Primary Instrument: Bass, acoustic

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.

Colleagues A few of the musicians Kelly has worked, toured, recorded or appeared with throughout the years.

Saxophones / Reeds
Arnett Cobb   Eddie Harris   James Moody   Sonny Rollins
David Murray   Hank Crawford   David “Fathead” Newman
Sonny Fortune   Steve Lacy   Jan Garbarek   Steve Potts
Jim Pepper   Paul McCandless   Richie Cole   Red Holloway
Carter Jefferson   Kim Richmond   Ken Peplowski   Alan Fauque
Chuck Florence   Shuichi Komiyama

Trumpet / Trombone
Freddie Hubbard   Woody Shaw   Wynton Marsalis   Hugh Ragin
Nat Adderley   Jack Walrath   Rasul Sidik   Clay Jenkins   David Scott
Gordon Vernick   Rebecca Coup Franks   Ray Anderson   Steve Turre
Craig Harris   Bill Watrous   Ralph Sappington   M.J. Williams

Drums / Percussion
Alan Dawson   Herlin Riley   Sunny Murray   Dennis Chambers
Andrew Cyrille   Ronnie Burrage   Tani Tabal   Claude Ranger
Pheeroan Aklaf  f John Betsch   Jim Honaker   Airto   Keith Terry
Bobby Battle   Brad Edwards   Alex Platt   Michael Blessing

Vibes / Marimba
Bobby Hutcherson   David Samuels   Jay Hoggard   Fred Raulston

Guitar
Herb Ellis   Barney Kessel   Emily Remler   Joe Beck   Vernon Reid
Steve Cardenas   Spencer Barefield   Ben White   Craig Hall

Piano
Tommy Flanagan   John Hicks   Jaki Byard   Mose Allison
Kenny Werner   D.D. Jackson   Henry Butler   Mal Waldron
Hilton Ruiz   Dave Burrell   Derek Smith   Tee Carson
Claire Fischer   David Benoit   Ellyn Rucker   Peggy Stern
Lafayette Gilchrist   Bob Nell   Ann Tappan   Adam Platt
Bob Britten   Eric Funk

Vocals
Michelle Hendricks   Judy Niemack   Jeanne Lee   Roseanna Vitro
Kellye Gray   Giacomo Gates   Kevin Mahogany   Julie Kelly
M.J. Williams   Dionne Warwick   Carola Vossen   Jeni Fleming
Theo Peoples

Bass
Ray Brown   Fred Hopkins   Michael Bisio
Anthony Cox   Bob Bowman

Violin
Billy Bang

Rock / World
Peter Gabriel

Dancers
Jimmy Slyde   Sarah Petronio   Leela Petronio   Katherine Kramer
Acia Gray   Joanne Barrett   Kamaria Dailey   Carson Murphy
Heather Barinaga

Appearances With
Steve Windwood   Annie Lennox   Kate Bush   Dudley Moore
Huey Lewis   Andy Taylor   Taj Mahal   Art Lande   Pete Barbutti
Arnie Carruthers   Rosalind Kind   Buddy DeFranco   Jim Hall
Kenny Burrell   Martin Short   Jack Jones   Joe Walsh   Frankie Lane
Kathy Heart Koko Taylor   Jaco Pastorious   Steve Clover   Kostas
Harry Belafonte   Dr. John   Bernard Purdy   Cornell Depree
Marie Osmond   Jack Sheldon   Conte Candoli   Gene Harris
Merv Griffin   Melba Moore   Freda Payne   Ronnie Bedford
Dick Meldonian   John Klemmer   Jesse Colin Young   Merilee Rush
Nick Gravenites   Cintia Love   Philip Aaberg   Fabio Patino
Kenneth Metzker   Camilo Siera   Earthquake Anderson   Todd Vulow
Ptah Williams

Awards:
2010 Montana Governor's Arts Award

Last Updated: June 4, 2010

“ 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.”

Jazz Hot

“ ...on bass is a very fine accompanist indeed, allowing endless amounts of freedom while creating a solid backdrop for the vocals and providing tasty and reflective solos that add to the integrity of the whole.”

Improv Magazine

“ Kelly and his trio are like little brothers to me. Travels and tours with them always produce some stunning music and unique surprises. I like to call them the “unknown trio” …they won’t be for long.”

The Late and Great Eddie Harris (Wardo)

“ Kelly is a virtuoso bassist. He makes sounds on the instrument that have never been heard before and that always leaves me surprised.

David Murray

“ Kelly Roberti is a world-class performer, composer and musical thinker. Having worked with many legends of jazz and rock, he has developed his own unique and brilliant style in both his bass playing and his compositions. A fascinating performer to both listen to and watch, Kelly is both tasteful and virtuosic --two opposing qualities rarely found in one musician. The passionate dedication always shows in this extraordinary musician.

Matthew Savery, Music Director and Conductor, The Bozeman Symphony

Primary Instrument:
Bass, acoustic

Location:
Bozeman, MT

Willing to teach:
Advanced students only.

Credentials/Background:
Skype Lessons
Private lessons are available using Skype. Contact Kelly for times and payment information. If you already have a Skype account, find him there at kelly.roberti
What you need:
Skype account (free), computer, webcam, mic, speakers, and hi speed connection.

Skype for Mac ~ Skype for PC

What to expect.
Instruction available for Bass and Improvisation studies. Curriculum will be individualized to each student. Lessons last 60-90 minutes. Study materials relevant to lesson will be provided via email.
Terms and conditions:
Four lesson minimum for $240 - ($60 per lesson) Payment is required before first lesson. Paypal is preferred. Lessons missed can be rescheduled. Lessons are geared for intermediate and advanced students.
FAQ: What is Skype?
Skype is a real time, video web conference application which enables you to communicate with anyone and anywhere for free, as if you were actually face to face in the same room.
What are the benefits of using Skype vs. meeting in person?
You can save money and time spent in traveling to the physical location. Weather will not effect the ability to have the lesson and you can have the lesson from any location you have a computer. Skype also offers the ability to record unlimited lessons for $29.95 with "Supertintin Video Call Recorder", making previous lessons available anytime.

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