up in Bari, and beg… Read Full Bio ↴A native of the South of Italy, Rocco Ventrella grew
up in Bari, and 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 starts to record some
tracks to explore this new musical style.
In 2005, Rocco recorded, arranged and produced
the CD "Tribute To Grover Washington, Jr." in
memory of the late, great saxophone player. This
remarkable CD originally contained only three tracks:
"Winelight", "Let It Flow", "Make Me A Memory",
("Mr. Grover" and "Come Morning" were added
in 2006) but it was instrumental in making Rocco
a household name on Smooth Jazz stations across
the Internet! Ventrella continued to create new
recordings featuring his own compositions, including
the soulful and haunting "I Receive Your Love".
The Tribute CD and "I Receive Your Love" brought
Rocco to the attention of American producer Bruce
Nazarian (Anita Baker, Millie Scott, The Automatix),
and an international alliance was born!
The product of that collaboration, a new CD called
"Give Me The Groove" is a unique global
collaboration, joining together Rocco Ventrella from
Italy, his longtime friend Renato Falaschi from
France, and producer/multiinstrumentalist
Bruce Nazarian from the USA in a smooth, yet funky
showcase for Rocco's performing and writing talents.
After hearing an early copy of the
CD, Jimi King, Smooth Jazz Programme Director
of www.SKY.fm named "Soulful Strut" as his Number
One Smooth Jazz Track of 2006 in the year-end
countdown, and placed two additional Rocco tracks
in the top 25 including "Alleria", and Rocco's soulful
reworking of "Feel Like Makin' Love". Since its
official release, this CD has taken internet radio by
storm!
"Give Me The Groove" CD obtained quotes from
George Duke, Dave Koz, Bob James, Chris
Standring.
November 2007 Rocco has been Pre-Nominated
for the 50° Grammy Award Contemporary Jazz Best
Album 2007.
The musical integrity, artistry, heart and soul of
saxophonist Rocco Ventrella
can soon be heard on the album "Give Me The
Groove" - his first official solo
recording in quite a while - "I've been so busy
fulfilling commitments to play or record for other
artists or broadcast clients, and recording a solo
album never entered my mind until recently. Over the past
few years, the desire to express myself entirily within my
own my personal musical universe has inflamed into a
burning passion...”.
January/February 2008 Rocco has been invited to give a
clinic/concert at Berklee College of Boston obtaining considerable
merits from Woodwind chair Bill Pierce. In this time in Boston,
Rocco played with great artists of Boston area like Sergio Bellotti,
Spajazzy,Tino D'Agostino, Frank Wilkins(WeJazzUp, Stevie
Wonder, Al Jarreau),Tim Ingles, Andre Hayward(Joshua Redman
Ensemble, Joe Lovano). These days Rocco touring continuosly
and giving Master Classes. “I love being able to work with young
students and help them improve.There’s no better feeling than
to help a player achieve their goal.”We believe Rocco Ventrella
to be a contemporary jazz artist of the new generation who is
without equal!
Simple Life
The V.I.P. Club Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cities are built in the wasteland
Models with ultraviolet shoes
And colors in the sky everytime a year ends
And still we are just men in disguise
We're searching but we can't find
The beauty of a simple life
Grandfather was a working man
Left home for the family
Although it felt like hell
I never saw him on his knees
And still we are just men in disguise
We're searching but we can't find
The beauty of a simple life
Still we are just men in disguise
We're searching but we can't find
The beauty of a simple life
And still we are just men in disguise
We're searching but we can't find
The beauty of a simple life
The lyrics to "Simple Life" by The V.I.P. Club touch on themes of modernity, longing for simplicity, and the disconnect between the past and present. The opening lines, "We don't live like we used to, Cities are built in the wasteland," suggest a departure from the traditional way of life, with cities springing up in once uninhabitable areas. This could be seen as a metaphor for the rapid urbanization and industrialization of society.
The mention of "Models with ultraviolet shoes" and "colors in the sky everytime a year ends" hints at a futuristic and technologically advanced world. These elements represent the materialistic and superficial aspects of contemporary life. In contrast, the song expresses a yearning for a simpler existence, and the lyrics reveal a dissatisfaction with the complexities and artificiality of modern society.
The reference to the grandfather being a working man who left home for the family reflects a traditional work ethic and a sense of sacrifice. It is implied that the singer never saw their grandfather weak or defeated, as indicated by the line "Although it felt like hell, I never saw him on his knees." This might be contrasted with the present, where the singer and others like them feel overwhelmed and unable to find true meaning or satisfaction in their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
We don't live like we used to
Our way of life has changed drastically from the past.
Cities are built in the wasteland
Urban development is taking place in previously uninhabited or neglected areas.
Models with ultraviolet shoes
Fashion trends have reached a point of extravagance, with models wearing unique and vibrant accessories.
And colors in the sky everytime a year ends
Fireworks displays have become a common tradition to mark the conclusion of each year.
And still we are just men in disguise
Despite our appearances, we are all still human beings facing our own struggles.
We're searching but we can't find
We are constantly seeking something meaningful, yet we struggle to discover it.
The beauty of a simple life
The joy and contentment that comes from a less complicated and more modest way of living.
Grandfather was a working man
My grandfather was dedicated to his job and provided for his family through hard work.
Left home for the family
He sacrificed his personal desires to support and take care of his loved ones.
Although it felt like hell
The challenges he faced may have been difficult and overwhelming, but he persevered.
I never saw him on his knees
Despite the hardships, he remained strong and never gave up.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Fabio Marzi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Manuel Arellano
Simple Life
Bass – Will Lee
Drums, Keyboards – Wolfgang Haffner
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Mitchel Forman
Flugelhorn – Till Brönner
Guitar – Peter Tiehuis
Loops [Programming] – Ernst Ströer
Percussion – Marcio Doctor
Una belleza musical..la descarga en la trompeta de Till Brönner sencillamnete espectacular....
Lui Jazz
Exelentes temas!!!
Rogerio Souza
Wonderful!