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Rave Tesar

The son of two musicians, it should come as no surprise that music would take the center stage in Rave’s own life. Starting piano at an early age and later studying woodwinds as well, Rave began playing professionally by the age of 15. With jazz piano as his main passion, he began polishing his style as a sideman with numerous groups throughout the New York metropolitan area. Equally adept in classical and rock, Rave’s versatility and rich background made him more in demand in broader spheres of music as he began touring with a host of bands including rock and roll hall of famers The Shirells, cutting edge minimalist pop group Tirez Tirez, and British progressive rock group Renaissance. His long time affiliation with singer Annie Haslam and Renaissance led to worldwide performances and involvement with several album releases.

Always a busy freelance musician on the New York scene, over the years Rave has also toured and recorded with many groups and band leaders including: The Shirelle's, Tirez Tirez, Charlie Rouse, Steve Marcus, Dave Pike, The Istanbul Orchestra, Annie Haslam, and Renaissance.

In parallel with his career as a performer, Rave has had a long history as a composer, arranger, producer, and recording engineer. For the past twenty five years he has owned and operated his own recording studio where he has produced countless recordings for a huge variety of artists. His own recorded compositions number in the hundreds and run the gamut from jazz and pop to world music and children’s songs. They also include numerous works for film and television.

Rave also has a long history as an educator, helping musicians from beginners to professionals find a deeper understanding of music. A captivating public speaker, Rave was chosen to appear as a featured presenter and composer on the PBS educational series Exploring The World Of Music, which is still broadcasted worldwide.

Most recently Rave is promoting his new CD from the Rave Tesar Trio, entitled You Decide which includes his brother Bill Tesar on drums, and bassist Kermit Driscoll. In addition to the trio, Rave is launching a new solo piano series of performances which integrate all styles of jazz interspersed with short informative narratives about the music and the inner workings and theory behind jazz improvisation.

The Rave Tesar Trio: You Decide

Read "You Decide" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey

by C. Michael Bailey
April 28, 2008

Jazz is music of inherent high quality. Like sex and pizza, even the worst one experiences is still pretty good. This is why the jazz audience has such a high tolerance for trio recordings. The vast majority are very good, while not being great. This trio tachyphylaxis makes it difficult for the erstwhile trio leader to produce a recording that is great and recognized as such.

Gladly the chore is only difficult, but not impossible. New York pianist ...

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Album Review

Rave Tesar Trio: You Decide

Read "You Decide" reviewed by Walter Kolosky

by Walter Kolosky
October 30, 2007

New York pianist and composer Rave Tesar has been on the scene since the early 1980s. His strong playing, highlighted by his inventive improvisational skills, has made him an in-demand session player for years. His acoustic trio for this straight-ahead recording is rounded out with Kermit Driscoll (Bill Frisell, Buddy Rich, Patti Austin) on bass and Rave's brother Bill (Angela Bofill, Bob Berg, Mark Feldman) on drums. They present ten of Rave's compositions, expertly recorded. They are, without exception, finely ...

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Recording

The Rave Tesar Trio's "You Decide" Available Now!

Source: All About Jazz
June 5, 2008

New York pianist and composer Rave Tesar has been on the scene since the early 1980s. His strong playing, highlighted by his inventive improvisational skills, has made him an in-demand session player for years. His acoustic trio for this straight-ahead recording is rounded out with Kermit Driscoll (Bill Frisell, John Zorn, Patti Austin) on bass and Rave's brother Bill (Dave Douglas, Ellery Eskelin, Angela Bofill) on drums. They present ten of Rave's compositions, expertly recorded. They are, without exception, finely ...
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