About Roberto Vally
Want to know more about Roberto Vally? Well, with Roberto’s proclivity to learn the electric bass, he joined several neighborhood bands. Playing for church dances, block parties, and affairs, Roberto officially turned “pro” by age 11-hence the beginning of his long and masterful career as a world renowned bassist and song writer.
A BRIEF HISTORY…With his formative years spent in New York City, Roberto’s musical talents were highly enriched through in-depth exposure to vast musical styles. Classical, Jazz, Latin, Funk, Rock, Hip-Hop, Pop, and Soul music became an integral part of his musical palette. Years of traveling and performing with notable artists around the world have made Roberto’s already broad repertoire one of outstanding magnitude. The combination of his innate groove, musicality, dexterity, and worldwide playing experiences make Roberto a world-class bass virtuoso, and as many will attest, with a heart as big as his 200 year old standup bass!
More About Roberto Vally
Roberto was honored with his junior high school’s Music Honor Award. It was clear that Roberto was destined to pursue an education that concentrated in music. From 1974-1978 he attended New York City’s legendary High School of Music and Art-depicted in Fame (1980 film). Continuing his education in music theory and classical bass he attended the highly acclaimed Julliard School from 1976-1978. There, most notably, he was mentored by the prominent professor and classical bassist, Homer Mensch.
FUNK AND FUN ON THE ROAD…Roberto loved every minute of his bass education, but the “itch” to perform and take his bass skills on the road eventually took hold of him. In 1979 he auditioned for a show band that toured in the US and Canada, and off he went! His ferocious playing and charismatic stage presence were extraordinary. There was no stopping him. His skills and thirst for fun and adventure brought him overseas to France, where he not only gigged, but mastered surfing and skiing. Perhaps unbeknownst to him at the time, in the midst of his playing on stage, on slopes and on surf boards, Roberto was building a remarkable set of diverse “chops” that come only with countless live stage experiences.
TAKING IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Years of honing live performance skills really paid off when he auditioned with Spyro Gyra. Thru 1987 and 1988 Roberto toured and recorded with Spyro Gyra, performing in over 150 concerts in the US and around the world. With Spyro Gyra he recorded “Stories Without Words”, which is to date, one of the group’s most popular albums. Touring continued for Roberto in 1990 when he joined Michael Franks on his Blue Pacific Tour-once again taking him on tour worldwide.
Westward bound. While Roberto was on tour with Michael Franks he took a leap of faith and invited Bobby Caldwell to one of the California shows with Michael, and as fate would have it, Bobby showed up and immediately asked Roberto to join his band. So in 1991, he moved to Los Angeles and started rehearsing with Bobby, To date, Roberto is playing with Bobby for an astonishing 29 year tenure!
In 1993 he took stage with Randy Crawford as her bassist, but his adept demeanor and impressive musicality led Randy to appoint him as Musical Director where he headed tours encompassing the US, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia for over 15+ years.
MORE NOTABLE PERFORMING AND RECORDING CREDITS…
Since moving to Los Angeles, Roberto has performed and/or recorded with the following artists: George Benson, Christopher Cross, Jeffrey Osborne, Bob James, Al Jareau, Hillary Duff, Diane Schuur, David Benoit, Boz Scaggs, Kirk Whalum, Bobby Caldwell, Patti Austin, Arturo Sandoval, Larry Carlton, Marion Meadows, Jeff Golub, Peter White, Norman Brown, Paul Brown, Boney James, Ric Braun, Michael Lington, Richard Elliot, Joan Sebastian, Johnny Rivers, Euge Groove, Eric Darius, Anna Barbara, Alvaro Torres, Los Trio, Ricardo Arjona, Nils, Banda Blanca.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST ABOUT ROBERTO VALLY, through the years being in California, Roberto became a successful songwriter in the smooth jazz genre, but when the corona virus lockdown stopped all touring and shows, Roberto threw himself into the studio, and began producing and co-writing songs for other artists.
Written and co-written songs by Roberto have been recorded and performed by the following artists: David Benoit, Bob James, Carol Albert, Marion Meadows, Larry Carlton, Najee, Justin Young, Patti Austin, Boney James, Randy Crawford, Kirk Whalum, Michael Lington, Ric Braun, Richard Elliot, Nils, Ken Navaro, Jeff Kashiwa and Euge Groove and many others…..
A FINAL NOTE.
Roberto’s musical career has spanned decades, genres, and nations. It continues to be a consummate work in progress. Roberto Vally currently resides in the suburbs of Los Angeles. He’s a proud father and grandfather and still surfs as often as his demanding schedule permits.
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