MICHELE RAMO (pronounced: Me-KEL-ay) is a JAZZ VIOLINIST, 8 String Nylon Fingerstyle Jazz Guitarist, Composer and Educator who specializes in "WORLD MUSIC" bringing American Swing, Brazilian, Gypsy, Latin, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Rhythms & Cultures together in his playing, as well as composing and arranging.
MICHELE RAMO
"Ramo is the real thing !" - Bucky Pizzarelli
"Ramo is a classical / jazz crossover in the truest sense of the word" - Detroit Jazz Magazine -
RAMO grew up in the small Sicilian village of ‘Costiera’, located on the southwest coast of Sicily near the fishing port of Mazara del Vallo.
He began violin studies at 14 and in only three years at the age of seventeen, received his first professional contract with the Italian State Symphony opera orchestra “Orchestra Del Teatro Massimo in Palermo. He earned a Master's degree in violin from the music conservatory of Caltanissetta. Ramo toured Europe with the International Mediterranean Youth Orchestra –“Le Juness Du Mediterranee”. In 1985 he was contracted with “Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana” and worked as Concert Master with “Orchestra Filarmonica Del Tirrreno touring Italy.
After five years in various Italian State Orchestras, Ramo left the orchestra job and moved to the United States in 1987 to pursue his work as a composer and instrumentalist in Jazz.
He began violin studies at 14 and in only three years at the age of seventeen, received his first professional contract with the Italian State Symphony opera orchestra “Orchestra Del Teatro Massimo in Palermo. He earned a Master's degree in violin from the music conservatory of Caltanissetta. Ramo toured Europe with the International Mediterranean Youth Orchestra –“Le Juness Du Mediterranee”. In 1985 he was contracted with “Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana” and worked as Concert Master with “Orchestra Filarmonica Del Tirrreno touring Italy.
After five years in various Italian State Orchestras, Ramo left the orchestra job and moved to the United States in 1987 to pursue his work as a composer and instrumentalist in Jazz.
RAMO'S 1933 FRANCESCO MANDINA VIOLIN
Italian violin built by Francesco Mandina in 1933.
In 1933 this violin won 2nd prize in the world renowned CREMONA competition for violin makers. It was given to Michéle when he was 14 years old -- a gift from the daughter of this great luthier Francesco Mandina.
In 1933 this violin won 2nd prize in the world renowned CREMONA competition for violin makers. It was given to Michéle when he was 14 years old -- a gift from the daughter of this great luthier Francesco Mandina.
RAMO'S 5 STRING ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC VIOLIN by RICH BARBERA
Rich Barbera Transducer Systems offers a truly professional quality, 5 String Acoustic Electric Violin. It is a pleasure working with Rich and I am really enjoying the natural sound of this acoustic electric violin which can cut through even a fusion rock band and still sound like a true violin.
JAZZ FESTIVALS
The North Sea Jazz Festival (Holland), Molde Jazz (Norway), Fano Jazz (Italy) Montreal Jazz (Canada) Ottawa Jazz (Canada), Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin, Freiburg (Germany), Paris, Ile Del Re, Souillac, (France), Montreux-Detroit Jazz (USA), Cork Jazz (Ireland), Barcelona, Madrid (Spain), Republica de Andorra, Burlington Jazz, Arkansas Jazz (USA) Athens, Corfu, Corintos, and Patras (Greece).
TOURED / RECORDED / PERFORMED
Guitarists: Bucky Pizzarelli, Howard Alden, Al Caiola, Les Paul, Mundell Lowe, Jorge Morel, Carlos Barbosa-Lima, Wayne Wright, Lenny Argese, Gene Bertoncini, Jack Wilkins, Vic Juris, Frank Vignola, Jimmy Bruno, Clarinet/Sax great- Paquito D'Rivera, Trumpeter-Marcus Belgrave, Drummer-Roy Brooks, Violinist-Regina Carter, Sax player-James Carter, Sax player-Ron Blake, Pianist-Harold McKinney, Pianist-Teddy Harris Jr., Bandoneon/Bayan player-Peter Soave, Accordionists Eddie Monteiro, Frank Marocco, Drummer/Vibraphonist-Chuck Redd, Drummer-Joe Cocuzzo, Drummer-Vince Cherico, Drummer-Kim Plainfield, Drummer-Marcello Pellitteri, Drummer-Diego Lopez......
RECORDINGS
1) "OH' LADY BE GOOD" Ramo on Violin with guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli
and bassist Jerry Bruno (2006)
2) "RAMO ITALIAN TAPESTRY" solo guitar (2008)
3) "THE SONG IS YOU" Guitar & Trumpet Duet with Marcus Belgrave
(2008)
4) "MICK & MUNDY" with Guitarist Mundell Lowe (2005)
5) "RAMO" - Solo Guitar (2004)
6) "FULL MOON ABOVE NEW YORK CITY"
Jazz Violin with Tommy James-Piano, David Dunaway-Bass & Jimmy
Madison-Drums with Special Guest Bayan Player Peter Soave (2002)
7) "FELICITA" in Duo with singer/lyricist Heidi Hepler (2002)
8) "KISS MY HEAD" Ramo 7 piece group (1995)
9) "LIVE AT KERRYTOWN" Ramo Quartet (1993)
10) "JALOUSIE" solo guitar (1992)
11) "EARTH & SUN" in duo with percussionist Jamie Rusling (1992)
12) "ESSENCE OF ROMANCE" solo guitar (1990)
13) "TINA" solo guitar (1988)
and bassist Jerry Bruno (2006)
2) "RAMO ITALIAN TAPESTRY" solo guitar (2008)
3) "THE SONG IS YOU" Guitar & Trumpet Duet with Marcus Belgrave
(2008)
4) "MICK & MUNDY" with Guitarist Mundell Lowe (2005)
5) "RAMO" - Solo Guitar (2004)
6) "FULL MOON ABOVE NEW YORK CITY"
Jazz Violin with Tommy James-Piano, David Dunaway-Bass & Jimmy
Madison-Drums with Special Guest Bayan Player Peter Soave (2002)
7) "FELICITA" in Duo with singer/lyricist Heidi Hepler (2002)
8) "KISS MY HEAD" Ramo 7 piece group (1995)
9) "LIVE AT KERRYTOWN" Ramo Quartet (1993)
10) "JALOUSIE" solo guitar (1992)
11) "EARTH & SUN" in duo with percussionist Jamie Rusling (1992)
12) "ESSENCE OF ROMANCE" solo guitar (1990)
13) "TINA" solo guitar (1988)
PUBLICATIONS
‘TRIBUTE TO GUITAR MASTERS’ Vol. I
Original compositions for classical and jazz guitarists - Book/Cd – Publisher Mel Bay (2005)
‘THE ART OF BOSSA NOVA’
Book – Publisher Ramo Music (1992) Original compositions
Original compositions for classical and jazz guitarists - Book/Cd – Publisher Mel Bay (2005)
‘THE ART OF BOSSA NOVA’
Book – Publisher Ramo Music (1992) Original compositions
HEIDI HEPLER & RAMO Voice & 8 String Guitar Duo
Michéle and his wife singer/lyricist Heidi Hepler-Ramo perform as a full time duo and live in New York. Visit: www.RamoMusic.com
Ramo's Hei-D MOSTRO 8 String Guitar
Ramo invented a new concept in guitar design / Built by Rich DiCarlo. www.8StringGuitar.com