UK Jazz News

Mothers in Jazz: Ada Rovatti

79

Ada Rovatti started playing saxophone in high school after years of classical piano training. Originally from Italy, she attended Berklee College of Music in Boston where she studied with Joe Viola, George Garzone and Fred Lipsius. She kept ties with her native Italy, playing regularly in a big band with guest artists including Phil Woods and Lee Konitz.

In recent years, she has featured with the WDR Big Band, toured with the Brecker Brothers Band Reunion, and recorded as the bandleader of the Elephunk Band. Ada lives in New York with her husband, trumpeter Randy Brecker, and their fifteen year-old daughter, Stella.

UKJazz News: What is the best advice you received about balancing/juggling motherhood and career?

Ada Rovatti: Organization is essential and your time with your child is brief. It goes fast so try to enjoy it and learn to keep it calm.

UKJN: What information or advice do you wish you’d received but didn’t (and had to learn through trial and error or on the go)?

AR: Don’t be afraid to ask for help and don’t try to be the superhero. Not having my family and my husband around (him being a pretty full-time on the road musician) made me really understand that sometimes I did need help, and it took me a long time to not feel guilty about reaching out, and asking for help (babysitter, etc.).

UKJN: Your top tip(s) for other mothers in jazz:

AR: I love my daughter and I love music, and I don’t have to choose between those two loves. I became a better musician because of my daughter. And I kept doing what I love, which is playing music. It makes me a better mother and a better human being.

UKJN: Baby/child gear tips for travel/touring/gigging:

AR: I found a stroller that used to be sold on the those airlines brochures , I’m sure by now there are much more advanced models but it was great it was all in one – Car seat, stroller and airplane seat and could become also a pretty comfy reclining chair to sleep on, and I did really use it everywhere. Another tip is: when your child finds their favorite doll/puppet buy few of them…!

UKJN: Best general travel/gigging/tour-with-child advice:

AR: Find out ahead of time where you are going and if there are other mothers that are connected with the organization you are working with, so you have some allies. They know local activities for children (museum, parks, etc.) and they might be able to help when you are on stage or can connect you with some reliable babysitters.

UKJN: What has surprised you about becoming a parent and remaining engaged with your professional activities and ambitions?

AR: I found out that I could be very productive even with less amount of time available and I could get right into focus when needed. As soon as I would sit with my horn or on the computer working on music I was quick in getting in the ‘zone’ and surprisingly even if I would be interrupted a million times I could go in and out like opening a door. I think also my voice as a musician got stronger since I am a Mother, my daughter Stella made me a stronger woman and I learned to be kinder to myself.

UKJN: What boundaries have you set for yourself as a mother in jazz (could be related to travel/touring, riders, personal parameters, child care decisions, etc.)?

AR: I learned to say no. I didn’t have to take all the gigs, I started to be more selective, and the reality is that I didn’t want to take a gig that paid less than what I paid my babysitter! (in NYC they were pretty expensive !!) I have done it though a few times, if I thought that the music, the connection and the musical environment were worth it and would help me musically or just as a treat for myself (yes those gigs I did called them treats lol ) but overall I became more selective and that did work out for the best.

Regarding child-care decisions, me and my husband are totally aligned. We have the same understanding of our duty as parents, and also have the same passion for our job, so on that side we have been both very lucky, I really never encountered any issue touring with a child. I mentioned I did have contact in advance with the promoters/musicians and everyone has been always very kind and tried to make it easier.

On short engagements (1 or 2 days away from home) sometimes I did hire a babysitter to stay home with Stella.( it happened only few times when both myself and my husband were on the same bill )  I had the same couple of babysitters who have been highly recommended by other families and friends and a decade later I am still friends with them. (and I had a couple friends that would monitor in case of need)

So I do think that organization and planning are really the ultimate magic wand.

Ada’s new album “The Hidden World Of Piloo” was released on 19 January 2024. For the first time, Ada arranged her music for strings and wrote lyrics, featuring singers Niki Haris, Fay Claassen, Alma Naidu and Kurt Elling.

Mothers in Jazz was started by vocalist Nicky Schrire. The initiative aims to create an online resource for working jazz musicians with children, those contemplating parenthood, and jazz industry figures who work with and hire musicians who are parents. The insight of the musicians interviewed for this series provides valuable emotional, philosophical and logistical information and support that is easily accessible to all. “Mothers In Jazz” shines a light on the very specific role of being both a mother and a performing jazz musician.

Share this article:

Advertisements

More from this series...

Post a comment...

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Wednesday Morning Headlines

Receive our weekly email newsletter with Jazz updates from London and beyond.

Wednesday Breakfast Headlines

Sign up to receive our weekly newsletter