Mentor Spotlight: Ada Rovatti
Italian-born saxophonist and composer Ada Rovatti did not arrive at jazz through the usual front door. Her musical journey began with classical piano, long before the saxophone entered her life. It was only in her late teens that she discovered jazz — and with it, a world that would eventually lead her across continents, onto global stages, and into the heart of one of the most influential jazz communities in the world.
Today, Ada Rovatti stands not only as an accomplished performer and recording artist, but as a mentor whose career reflects the very values that underpin the Lion City Jazz Festival 2026: curiosity, mentorship, and the lifelong pursuit of one’s own voice.
From Classical Foundations to the Language of Jazz
Rovatti’s early grounding in classical music shaped her deep sense of structure, tone, and discipline. That foundation became a springboard when she turned her attention to the saxophone and the improvisational language of jazz.
Her rapid ascent earned her a scholarship to Berklee College of Music, where she immersed herself in contemporary jazz studies before stepping into the wider world. A formative year spent in Paris touring Europe and Africa further expanded her musical vocabulary, exposing her to diverse rhythms, cultures, and musical traditions.
Eventually, New York City became home — a proving ground where Rovatti’s sound matured amid one of the world’s most demanding and vibrant jazz scenes.
A Global Career, A Deeply Collaborative Spirit
Over the years, Ada Rovatti has performed at major festivals around the world and collaborated with an extraordinary range of artists. Her performance and recording credits include work with Mike Stern, John McLaughlin, James Moody, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Heath, Patti Austin, and Aretha Franklin, among many others.
She has released seven albums under her own name and appeared as a guest on numerous recordings, including Grammy-winning projects such as 34th N Lex by Randy Brecker. Her longstanding musical partnership with Brecker has also seen her touring extensively with the Brecker Brothers Band Reunion.
These collaborations speak not just to her technical command, but to her adaptability — a musician equally at home in straight-ahead jazz, fusion, big band settings, and large ensemble writing.
Composer, Arranger, Storyteller
In recent years, Rovatti’s creative focus has expanded even further. Her latest project, Hidden World of Piloo, marks a significant artistic milestone. Featuring collaborators such as Niki Haris, Kurt Elling, Fay Claassen, Alma Naidu, and Randy Brecker, the album showcases Rovatti as a composer, arranger, and lyricist.
The work moves fluidly between horn-driven passages and lush string orchestrations, revealing a composer unafraid of scale or emotional depth. It is a project that reflects both maturity and risk-taking — qualities she continues to encourage in the musicians she mentors.
Ada Rovatti at Lion City Jazz Festival 2026
At LCJF 2026, Ada Rovatti appears not only as a performer, but as a mentor deeply engaged with the festival’s educational mission.
Fireside Chat & Masterclass
A Fireside Chat with Randy Brecker & Ada Rovatti (US)
Hosted by Jeremy Monteiro
Time: 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Venue: Gateway Theatre, Blackbox L8
Tickets: $15
More info: https://www.lioncityjazz.com/a-fireside-chat-with-randy-brecker-ada-rovatti-us
Designed as an intimate and reflective session, this fireside chat offers audiences rare insight into artistic longevity, collaboration, and the realities of a life in jazz — from two musicians whose careers span decades and continents.
Finale Concert
The Brecker Brothers & Beyond
JASSYO! with Randy Brecker & Ada Rovatti (US)
Time: 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Venue: Gateway Theatre, Singapore
Tickets:
Cat 1: $88
Cat 2: $58
Cat 3: $38
More info: https://www.lioncityjazz.com/finale-concert-the-music-of-the-brecker-brothers
Sharing the stage with an international ensemble of artists from Singapore, the US, Europe, and Asia, Rovatti’s presence at the Finale Concert underscores the festival’s core belief: that jazz thrives through exchange, mentorship, and collective energy.
A Mentor Who Embodies the Festival’s Spirit
Ada Rovatti’s journey — from classical beginnings to global jazz stages — mirrors the path many young musicians aspire to walk. At Lion City Jazz Festival 2026, she represents not just artistic excellence, but the generosity of experience passed forward.
In a festival built around mentorship, her voice reminds us that jazz is not only about mastery, but about listening, learning, and remaining open to discovery at every stage of the journey.
