A native of the South of Italy, Rocco Ventrella grew up in Bari, on the Adriatic coast. Ventrella began playing saxophone at age fourteen, inspired by some jazz records his father had given to him... and that music hit home! ...fast forward to 1998... Rocco begins his love affair with Smooth Jazz music and began to record some tracks to explore this new musical style. Rocco recorded, arranged and produced a CD "Tribute To Grover Washington, Jr." in memory of the late, great saxophone player, which brought him to the attention of American music producer Bruce Nazarian (Anita Baker, Millie Scott, the Automatix) Rocco's first recordings were instrumental in making Rocco a household name on Smooth Jazz stations across the Internet! Now, Rocco's new recordings are available, featuring his brilliant performances on classic Smooth Jazz songs, like his NUMBER ONE track, Soulful Strut, as well as his own compositions, including the soulful and haunting "I Receive Your Love". Today, Rocco's smooth soulful style is a benchmark for European smooth-jazz saxophone players. Ventrella himself admits: "I like soul, rhythm and blues, funky and jazz. David Sanborn, Gerald Albright, Eric Marienthal, Everette Harp and the great Grover Washington, Jr. have all been my inspirations for the last ten years..." We happily welcome you to listen to Rocco Ventrella's new "Give Me The Groove" CD - we believe you will meet here a contemporary jazz artist of the new generation who is without equal!