Jazz for Peace™ rose from the ashes of the horrifying tragedy of 9/11 starting with a poem written by acclaimed Jazz Pianist, Vocalist, Composer and Founder Rick DellaRatta that was written witnessing those very events on a rooftop less than a quarter of a mile away from Ground Zero on that fateful morning.
His extraordinary Journey to live up to the words of that poem starting with a historic concert at the United Nations that brought together Israeli, Palestinian, and American musicians for the very first time followed by over 850 Jazz for Peace feat. Rick DellaRatta Events Worldwide to promote and benefit the worlds most outstanding causes around the world which has led to extraordinary testimonials from great Americans, world leaders and hundreds of previous Grant recipients here: https://jazzforpeace.wordpress.com/about/ making him an extremely popular guest with literally hundreds of amazing stories to tell such as this example below and often featuring a live 2 to 3 minute Piano/Vocal performance!
EXAMPLE FROM OUR ARCHIVES: On December 26th 2015, Jazz Pianist, Vocalist & Composer Rick DellaRatta , as part of over 850 other similarly philanthropic and artistic activities, went completely unarmed with nothing but his musical talent to the same vicinity of Pakistan where US Army soldier Bo Bergdahl was held captive for more than 5 years, in order to perform a concert to raise funds and awareness for a Christian based organization that teaches mothers how to read so they can teach their children in order to stave off the recruitment of illiterate children to join terrorist groups. Thereby being able to accomplish all by himself what it might cost in the tens of millions to accomplish militarily or otherwise.
https://www.local802afm.org/allegro/articles/letter-from-lahore/
“By bringing Israeli, Palestinian and American Jazz musicians together Rick DellaRatta and Jazz for Peace have used the transcendent quality of music to promote a message of peace and unity. Now, over 500 concerts later, Jazz for Peace continues its mission of challenging humanity to realize that the forces that unite us are far stronger than the forces that divide us......I want to congratulate Rick and Jazz for Peace on everything they have accomplished to this point, and all the good they are sure to bring about as they continue this concert series….” ~ United States President Barack Obama
“…steadfast and creative….Jazz for Peace unites the world of the arts with the arenas for justice. May other musical and artistic groups emulate your example and your consistency” For Peace and Justice,
~ Ralph Nader
“International Jazz Day could not happen without partners like Jazz for Peace….using concerts, community outreach and education programs to raise support and awareness for local and international charities...to unify and empower the vulnerable in our society. We are indebted...and look forward to working with you…” ~ Herbie Hancock
“Partnering with Jazz for Peace is…an opportunity for the community to experience world-class music, while raising much needed funds.” ~ The American Red Cross
“We felt the need to invite DellaRatta and his group because their work in promoting peace through music, is well known in the world.” ~ UNICEF
“We are honored to be receiving this benefit concert grant from the foundation, and to be bringing such a highly praised, culturally acclaimed event to Sun Valley.” ~ Special Olympics
Latest Podcast Testimonial ~ Received: April 28, 2023 "Rick, I have interviewed many people on my podcast Listening With Leaders, and you take the cake. Your energy, enthusiasm, and passion shine like a bright light. And, as a jazz violinist myself, I greatly appreciated your music. Thanks for showing the world how many perceived differences can be reconciled through arts and culture.” ~ Douglas E. Noll, JD, MA Co-Founder, Prison of Peace, Inc.
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, Billie Holiday, Joao Gilberto, Ivan Lins, Michael Franks and Antonio Carlos Jobim.
Dr. Billy Taylor put Ricks impact in perspective when commenting on Ricks "Thought Provoking CD - he said: "Rick DellaRatta is one of the people who is taking Jazz to the next level".
