Sal La Rocca is one of Belgium’s most in-demand double bassists: Video

20.08. – Happy Birthday !!! 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 (guitar), Pascal MOHY (piano) and Hans van OOSTERHOUT (drums) featuring : Jacques SCHWARZ-BART* (tenor sax) on the IGLOO label.

Ex-Member of Vaya Con Dios feat. Dani KLEIN, Denise KING (US) 4tet, Phil ABRAHAM quartet, Laurent DOUMONT & The Soul Counsellors, Bop & Soul Sextet…

During his career, Sal has recorded on numerous albums. In 2003, he released his first album “Latinea”, included musicians Bruno Castellucci, Peter Hertmans, Kris Goessens and Jacques Pirotton. Around this time, Sal became the official bassist of singer Anne Ducros, playing, recording and touring with her group for several years. He added several jazz greats to his resume, including trumpeter Randy Brecker and pianists Thierry Eliez, Enrico Pieranunzi, Jacky Terrasson and René Urtreger. In 2007, he became the bassist for pop rock group Vaya Con Dios. Sal participated in both a European and world tour with the group.

In 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. In 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 trio that performed in what is referred to as the Benelux States (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) and France. In 2013, 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.

2015, Sal is hired by Bob Mover 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.

Musicians with whom Sal played: John RUOCCO, Gianni BASSO, Harold LAND, Jack VAN POLL, Kris DEFOORT, Ali RYERSON, Paolo RADONI, John ENGELS, Michel HERR, Guy CABAY, 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…

“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.