Biography
November 29, 2012
Sal La Rocca | Biography
biography
Biography
Sal La Rocca was born on August 20, 1961, in Seraing, near Liège.
After taking his first steps as a rock guitarist, he taught himself the double bass at the age of 23. Beginnings In 1986, he played in French pianist Michel Graillier’s trio with American drummer Leo Mitchell.
He then joined saxophonist Steve Grossman’s trio in the south of France, played in Singapore with saxophonist Steve Houben’s quartet (Jacques Pirotton and Rick Hollander), and a German Tour with American guitarist John Thomas’s quartet (Marcus Becker, Jan de Haas). He replaced Riccardo Del Fra in Mikesch van Grümmer’s quintet during the Montreux Jazz Festival.
The 1990s
The 1990s confirmed Sal La Rocca‘s presence on the Belgian and European stages, where he performed with Phil Abraham, Ivan Paduart, Sal Nistico, Jacques Pelzer, Mal Waldron, Pierre Vaiana, Salvatore Bonafede, and Dré Pallemaerts. He participated in the formation of the Raffaela Renzulli Ensemble alongside saxophonist Charlie Mariano (US), and the group Määk’s Spirit led by Laurent Blondiau and Jeroen Van Herzeele.
He performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival (The Hague) with American saxophonist Harold Land, and in Belgium with Dave Turner, Vic Vogel, and Félix Simtaine, and later with Steve Houben, Diederik Wissels, and Rick Hollander.
Sal La Rocca toured extensively with Lee Konitz, Bruno Castellucci, Jean-François Prins, and Judy Niemack, as well as with the Nathalie Loriers Trio, with whom he performed in Syria, Jordan, Japan, Brazil, and at the Montreal International Jazz Festival. He also played with the Ivan Paduart Quartet and the Frank Vaganée – Mike Del Ferro Group, and the Bruno Castellucci Stringtet with Bruno Castellucci, Éric Legnini, Erwin Vann, and a string section.
In the late 1990s, Sal La Rocca played with Toots Thielemans at the Palais des Congrès in Liège and with Philip Catherine’s trio. After this period, his name was mentioned in Le Dictionnaire du Jazz Belge.
The 2000s
In the early 2000s, he accompanied Didier Lockwood & Gordon Beck with Anne Ducros quartet “Purple Songs” released by Dreyfus records, Stanley Jordan, Bobby Durham (Abu Dhabi Festival), Anne Ducros 4tet featuring Bob Franceschini (US) (Dubai International Jazz Festival) and (Montreal International Jazz Festival). Shortly after, he returned for several concerts in Ireland, Romania, Italy, and the Benelux countries with Toots Thielemans and Nathalie Loriers.
Recordings & Jazz Tours
2003, he released his first album “Latinea”, included musicians Bruno Castellucci, Peter Hertmans, Kris Goessens and Jacques Pirotton. Therefore, around this time, Sal became the official bassist of singer Anne Ducros, playing, recording and touring with her group for several years…Besides this, he added several jazz greats to his resume, including trumpeter like Randy Brecker and pianists Thierry Eliez, Enrico Pieranunzi, Jacky Terrasson and René Urtreger.
2006, RTB TV Live Recording with : Steve Houben (a.sax), Richie Beirach (p) and Martijn Vink (drs). Live @ Palais Des Congrès – Jazz à Liège Festival.
2007, he became the bassist for pop rock group VCD. Sal participated in both a European and world tour with the group.
2010, he was bassist for the Steve Grossman Quintet performing at the Dinant Jazz Night Festival. The group featured Steve Grossman, Nico Menci, Alvin Queen, Joe Lovano and Sal.
2011, he joined the Gregory Houben Quintet, which was comprised of Gregory Houben (tp), Pierrick Pedron (a.sax) and Sal La Rocca. Sal met American singer Denise King through French pianist Olivier Hutman, they formed a quartet that performed in what is referred to as the Benelux States (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) and France.
2012, Sal released his second album “It Could Be The End” (featuring a number of original compositions) through Igloo Records. The group was comprised of Lorenzo Di Maio, Pascal Mohy, Hans van Oosterhout featuring Jacques Schwarz-Bart.
2013-14, Vaya Con Dios Farwell Tour, end tour @ Forest National (DVD Recording) and Sportpaleis.
2015, Sal is hired by Bob Mover and John Snauwaert for a tour of ten concerts in Belgium.
2016, He had the privilege of playing with the Sun Ra Arkestra for a short tour in Belgium and Holland.
Same year (2016), recording in co-production of an album with Dani Klein (singer of Vaya Con Dios): “Dani Sings Billie”
2017, China Tour with Phil Abraham Quartet.
2017-18, Sal La Rocca played a few concerts with two famous French musicians like : Jacky terrasson & Stéphane Belmondo (with whom he had already played before, 2003 and 2005) in quartet with the young and talented Belgian drummer Antoine Pierre.
2018, Sal released his third album “Shifted” with : Jeroen van Herzeele (t. & s. sax), Pascal Mohy (piano & Wurlitzer) & Lieven Venken (drums) on IGLOO RECORDS & EL NEGOCITO RECORDS labels.
2019-20, Belgian Tour with Sal La Rocca Band Featuring Stéphane Belmondo (FR). CD recording with Sabin Todorov Trio “Archaeology”
2021, New band experience : “SLR 5” with : Steven Delannoye (t. & s. sax), Phil Abraham (tb), Igor Gehenot (piano) & Umberto Odone (drums). A sneak peek at bass player Sal La Rocca’s new band, SLR 5, and their upcoming release.
2023, Album release with Olivier Collette’s project “Heptone Colours”
2025, First album with pianist Igor Gehenot in trio with Italian drummer Umberto Odone.
biography. biography
Musicians with whom Sal La Rocca played
(Once or more than once)
Harold LAND, Steve GROSSMAN, Lee KONITZ, Gordon BECK, Charlie MARIANO, Randy BRECKER, Bob FRANCESCHINI, Richie BEIRACH, Didier LOCKWOOD, Scott HAMILTON, Jack VAN POLL, John ENGELS, Andre CECCARELLI, Bert JORIS, Jiggs WIGHAM, Dave TURNER, Michel GRAILLIER, Sheila JORDAN, Deborah BROWN, Mark MURPHY, Ada ROVATTI, Sangoma EVEREST, Stanley JORDAN, Anne DUCROS, Roni BEN-HUR, Bob MOOVER, Tony LAKATOS, Roby LAKATOS, Bobby DURHAM, Steve WILLIAMS, Dani KLEIN, Olivier HUTMAN, Denise KING, Jacques SCHWARZ-BART, William LECOMTE, Pierrick PEDRON, Alvin QUEEN, Baptiste TROTIGNON, Sylvain BEUF, Sun Ra ARKESTRA Featuring Marshall ALLEN etc…
biog