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Freddie
Ravel Utterly
captivated by Music since age 5, Freddie Ravel’s talent took him from prodigy
to a World-renowned Pianist, Composer, Recording Artist and Multi-Media
Executive. His passion for bridging
communication through Music propelled him to two decades of international
acclaim and the creation of Tune Up to Success ®,
an unprecedented
interactive program that presents Music as a perfect metaphor for the dynamics
of business and social networking. Completing
his Music degree cum laude, Freddie began performing around the World with
Brazilian icon Sergio Mendes when Universal Records discovered and quickly
signed the young artist. This resulted in a series of sensual and fiery albums: Midnight
Passion, Sol to Soul & Freddie Ravel-charting #1 in the US. Embraced by his many fans, his
songs continue to receive extensive radio airplay and garner critical acclaim: “Freddie’s
blend of jazz textures, rock energy, tropical rhythms and charismatic
performance style are sure pop-jazz crossovers.” – Los Angeles Times. Establishing
Ravelation Media Group in 1990, as CEO his reputation as a multi-faceted
Producer, Artist & Composer soared to the top echelons of the music industry
with the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire and Al Jarreau under Freddie’s
directorship. Subsequent invitations from Madonna led to their joint MTV
appearances and featured Freddie’s sizzling piano solo in Madonna’s remix of
Don’t Cry For Me Argentina. Freddie's
lifelong commitment to raise human
potential through Music gave birth to a powerful interactive performance
event in 2002, which he named Tune Up to Success ®.
Performing this interactive program nationwide, to live audiences ranging from
teens & young adults to Fortune 500 Companies, Freddie connected
new Music Creation by everyday people to their personal and professional lives utilizing
a process he called InTuneition™. “Freddie Ravel shows how listening skills are
critical to our success in business and in life by getting “in tune” with
our customers, associates, families and ourselves through this truly innovative
and entertaining program.” -Randy
Salley, Sr. Vice President, Wal-Mart Information Systems. Corporate
successes continue with such notable organizations as: Bell Canada, First
Energy, Panasonic, University of Southern California, Smith Barney and Yamaha
Corporation. While musical collaborations go on with the hottest stars and
production teams in Pop, Jazz, Latin and Hip Hop: Kanye West, Jennifer Lopez,
Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony, Quincy Jones & Sting, as well as on-stage
performances with such legends as Prince, Herbie Hancock and Carlos Santana. “
[Freddie Ravel’s Group gave] Flat-out, one of the most euphoric concert
experiences I have ever had [where] the crowd was caught between dancing in the
aisles and gaping in awe at the level of musicianship. Within one set by one
band we got Smooth Jazz, Traditional Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Classical,
Brazilian, Salsa, Classic R&B and pure CJazz Funk. It's enough to leave you
breathless. And it did!”
-Shannon West, Smooth Views, Oct. 2005 As
a lyricist & commissioned author, Freddie has published works with Deepak
Chopra, Marianne Williamson and Dr. Martin Luther King’s daughter, Yolanda
King, consistently expressing his belief that
Music can empower peoples’ lives. This philosophy is central to
Freddie’s successful fundraising for: City of Hope, the Music Center Spotlight
Awards, and as the Spokesperson for ANGELCARE, a charity dedicated to saving
lives and giving hope to underprivileged children. “Over
the past ten years, I have come to understand just how amazing Freddie Ravel is
both as a musician and humanitarian, his dedication to his craft of making
meaningful music is eclipsed only by his desire to champion causes that bring
out the best in all of us.”
- Cameron Smith,
President,
Center
Stage TV, Nov 2005 Born in Los Angeles, on United Nations Day (October 24), Freddie is of South American and European descent. With a fascination for music that began at age four, he played drums, guitar and accordion before settling on the piano which became the primary vehicle for his early compositions. Pursuing jazz and classical studies at Cal State University, Northridge, he completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with full "Cum Laude" honors. During this period, at age nineteen, the young pianist became quite active in L.A.'s club and studio scene and formed an original quartet, the "Jazz Cookbook". Their subsequent self-produced album received extensive air play and support from L.A.'s most established jazz DJ, Chuck Niles. Freddie went on to record and tour worldwide with a broad spectrum of artists ranging from Dori Caymmi, Osamu Kitajima, James Ingram, George Howard, The Emotions, Tower of Power's Greg Adams, Ernie Watts and L. Subramaniam, the acclaimed violin virtuoso whom Ravel served as musical director in India. In the summer of 1989, while performing with Sergio Mendes at the Newport Jazz Festival in Japan, Freddie was spotted by Polygram Records who immediately signed him. The result was Freddie's debut, "Midnight Passion" which features his unique style of wind synthesis, arranging, composing, producing and pianistic approach. The innovative mix of original tunes climbed the Japanese charts where Ravel's single "Jasmine Breeze" debuted at number six, alongside cuts from Janet Jackson and Quincy Jones. Within the first month of its release, "Midnight Passion" had become an award-winning, top ten contemporary album. During the period of 1992-94, Ravel began a magical association with Earth, Wind and Fire. In addition to composing, co-producing and performing on their double-platinum album "Millennium", Freddie served as the band's musical director. This resulted in tours and TV appearances throughout Europe, USA and Asia culminating in a command performance for the world's richest man, the Sultan of Brunei. A great friendship unfolded between EWF leader Maurice White and Ravel leading to their collaboration for Freddie's latest album, "Sol to Soul". The album's title reflects Ravel's worldly diversity and is an expression of a journey from the light of the sun to the soul of man. One senses this blending of "sol" and "soul" throughout the album especially in the title cut, "Havana Nights", "Dance for the Sol", "Mambozique" and the Brazilian-flavored "A Perfect Day". Later, the spirit is invited to "Slip in the Gap"; a song about the magic of meditation co-written with one of the world leaders of mind-body medicine, Dr. Deepak Chopra. "Quedate Conmigo" and it's instrumental version, "Passion Dance", celebrate Ravel's love for Salsa music. "Erotika" is the result of Maurice and Freddie jamming between kalimba and piano. "Sailaway" embraces the romance of the Bolero. Both of the songs "We Belong Together" and "Over You" reflect the blue side of love while the Ellington classic, "In a Sentimental Mood" serves as the pianist' closing statement. In addition to his recent nomination by KEYBOARD magazine's readers poll, 1995 has brought Freddie in collaboration with the great Emmy and Grammy award winning singer, Carl Anderson. They have recently taken their concert/show, aptly titled "Sol to Soul", headlining festivals throughout Japan and the USA. Freddie's interests range from cycling, hiking, skating, swimming, travel, yoga and spiritual studies to his aggressive support of environmental and human causes. But above all, it is the wonder and power of music that continues to propel his spirit: "It is an absolute joy to have the opportunity to play and create music," he said. "To be able to express what one feels in their heart and soul is a great blessing, but even more, the opportunity to be able to share that light with the listener is a dream that I will always aspire for."
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