Biography
November 29, 2012
Sal La Rocca | Biography
Biography
Sal La Rocca is one of Belgium’s most in-demand double bassists.
He has played alongside Toots THIELEMANS, Philip CATHERINE, Steve GROSSMAN, Lee KONITZ…After a stint with rock playing guitar, at age 23, he discovers jazz in the early 80’s and switches to double bass which he intensively explores on his own, taking as a model Paul CHAMBERS. Sal has released two albums under his own name, such as Latinea (2003) and It Could Be The End (2012) with : Lorenzo DI MAIO (gt.), Pascal MOHY (p) and Hans van OOSTERHOUT (drs) featuring : Jacques SCHWARZ-BART* (t. sax) on the IGLOO label.
SHIFTED (Nov 2018), with : Jeroen van Herzeele (t. & s. sax), Pascal Mohy (piano & Wurlitzer) & Lieven Venken (drums) on IGLOO RECORDS & EL NEGOCITO RECORDS labels. Igloo Records/Artist
Ex-Member of Vaya Con Dios feat. Dani KLEIN, Denise KING (US) quartet, Terramondo quartet, Phil ABRAHAM quartet, Laurent DOUMONT Trio V.O., Sabin Todorov trio, Rv Caparros Band, Ingrid Nomad…
During his career, Sal La Rocca has recorded on numerous albums.
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.
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.
Musicians with whom Sal played
Harold LAND, Jack VAN POLL, John ENGELS, Andre CECCARELLI, Ch. HIRSON, Bert JORIS, Jiggs WIGHAM, Steve GROSSMAN, Nico MENCI, Dave TURNER, Michel GRAILLIER, David LINX, Sheila JORDAN, Deborah BROWN, Mark MURPHY, Salvatore BONAFEDE, Lee KONITZ, Ada ROVATTI, Gordon BECK, Sangoma EVEREST, Stanley JORDAN, Anne DUCROS, Charlie MARIANO, Roni BEN-HUR, Bob MOOVER, , Randy BRECKER, Bob FRANCESCHINI, Richie BEIRACH, Scott HAMILTON, Didier LOCKWOOD, 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… DC Bebop
Line Note
“I was already aware of Sal ’s remarkable talent on bass. I also got to enjoy his qualities as a human being during our conversations. But this recording session was the opportunity for me to discover the composer and exceptional leader that he is. He has his own style of writing and chose musicians capable following his vision on these recordings.
“The experience was a pure joy for me. It’s one of the records I’m most proud of.” Jacques SCHWARZ-BART Igloo-Records
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