Powered by one of the most unique, original saxophone voices of today, the sound of Bobby Ricketts embodies the essence of awakening, inspiration and empowerment. Influenced by the diverse cultures experienced while touring and performing across 5 of the 7 continents, Bobby's songs are universal and timeless, touching the hearts of music fans in the tens of thousands.
A rising star and dynamic performer, recognized and appreciated by audiences worldwide, Bobby Ricketts is poised to become one of the top contemporary instrumentalists in global music.
Bobby Ricketts is a Cultural Envoy of the U.S. Department of State, an official Yamaha EU Artist, an endorser of Roland Keyboards and DPA Microphones, a musical director for television, a much sought-after clinician, in demand as creative consultant for media & communications, Creative Director of The Dar Jazz Event, and initiator of The Band Doctor feat. Bobby Ricketts Music Development Seminars conducted in East Africa.
Bobby Ricketts "Skin To Skin" (Third Wave Entertainment):
It's all there, just the way you like it... The hip grooves, the lush harmonies. But something's different - the sound is fresh, the music embraces you and takes you on a journey to some warm, exotic destination that only exists in your dreams... And as a beacon, your guide to places unknown, you'll hear one of the most original saxophone voices to emerge for quite some time.
Introducing Copenhagen-based, American saxophonist Bobby Ricketts, spotlighted on this widely popular album release entitled "Skin To Skin" - an intoxicating cocktail of sensual, earthy horn playing, sultry grooves, and memorable compositions from one of the hottest sax players out there.
Bobby Ricketts Biography:
Copenhagen, Denmark has always been a haven for expatriate American musicians, sax players in particular. The tradition of honing a distinctive sound in the Danish capital that began with jazz legends such as Ben Webster and Dexter Gordon continues with saxophonist Bobby Ricketts. As of 2012, Bobby now splits his time off from tours around the world between Copenhagen and New York.
Bobby started his career in Boston, Massachusetts. Distancing himself musically from the rest of the pack at an early age and winning numerous awards at school-to-school jazz band competitions, Bobby was voted 'Musician of the Year' by the Massachusetts Music Educators Association during his senior year in high school. Later that year, he was chosen as one of the finest musicians on the entire eastern coast of the United States, and participated in the All-Eastern Music Conference in Washington, D.C. The success continued. Bobby was awarded a college scholarship by the Boston Jazz Society, the first-ever recipient of this award.
The next stop was Berklee College of Music. Bobby quickly rose to the top, playing in the prestigious Berklee Recording Band under the leadership of gifted bandleader/trumpetist Herb Pomeroy, as well as the International Dues Band, led by master trombonist Phil Wilson. There was ample time to jam with the future big names of jazz, and Bobby crossed paths with players such as Kevin Eubanks, Branford Marsalis, 'Smitty' Smith, Tommy Campbell and Victor Bailey, among others. The international atmosphere of Boston in general, and Berklee College in particular, led to networking opportunities with students representing a myriad of world cultures. What started with tours of Norway and Sweden with fellow Berklee students during school breaks turned into the basis for an unparalleled music career.
After completing Berklee's 4-year degree program as an honor student, Bobby packed his saxophones and a suitcase, then flew to Copenhagen. The rest is Danish music history.
Amongst peers, colleagues, fans, and the industry itself, saxophonist/producer/music director Bobby Ricketts is praised for his consistent, unusually high standards of musical & artistic integrity -and admired for the courage it takes to maintain such standards. On his home court in Scandinavia, Bobby is referred to as a TV-icon, having demonstrated his musical abilities on more major prime time television shows than any musician in Denmark, often performing with some of the biggest names in the global music industry. Being seen as music director during the past 10 years for some of the most popular TV shows in Danish entertainment has made Bobby a household name. After well over 150+ program episodes as a music director (multiple re-runs excluded) he is, quite simply, one of the most recognised names and faces of any instrumentalist in the country. Even absolute strangers greet him with 'hi, Bob'.
Being seen is one thing, being remembered is something else altogether, and the sensual, earthy, soulful saxophone stylings of Bobby Ricketts leave a lasting impression. In the words of a colleague, "Bobby plays a REAL mean saxophone!". Playing a mean saxophone has led to studio musician credits on several hundred albums, soundtracks, commercials, and live appearances with such names as Jocelyn Brown, Randy Crawford, Al Jarreau, Kele LeRoc, Suzi Quatro, Vonda Shepard, Curtis Stigers, Toots Thielemanns, Fred Wesley, Roger Whitaker, Bonnie Tyler, Paul Young and many others.
The musical integrity, artistry, heart and soul of saxophonist Bobby Ricketts can be heard on the album "Skin To Skin" - his first solo recording in a number of years. "I've always been so busy fulfilling commitments to play or produce for other artists or clients, and it never entered my mind to record a solo album. I've always felt that I was expressing myself and being true to my heart musically, even in projects I've done for commercial situations. I've been quite privileged in that sense. But eventually, the desire to express myself entirely and freely within my own personal musical universe has inflamed into a burning passion, and 'Skin To Skin' was born out of this passion. Music is communication... my goal from this moment forward is to become even more fluent at expressing my thoughts, ideas, emotions, feelings, or whatever, through music."
The fire is spreading steadily, as radio stations around the world continue to add Bobby Ricketts tracks to their playing lists. The Album "Skin To Skin" features guest performances by world-class musicians such as Chris Minh Doky (Michael Brecker Quartet, Mike Stern Group), Delmar Brown (Sting, Gil Evans Orchestra), George Whitty (Brecker Brothers) and Bobby’s own TV band, which includes some of the top musicians in Scandinavia.
Radio Broadcasters can preview and download tracks in broadcast quality at www.AirplayDirect.com/BobbyRicketts
© 2012 Third Wave Entertainment
http://bobbyricketts.com
missioncontrol@bobbyricketts.com
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