Biography
Major Television Appearances:
· Late Show with David Letterman (CBS)
· The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC)
· The Rosie O'Donnell Show (NBC)
· Saturday Night Live (NBC)
· After Breakfast (FOX)
· Showbiz Today (CNN)
· The Today Show (NBC)
· Good Morning America (ABC)
College Appearances:
· University of Virginia (Charlottesville VA)
· Columbia University (New York NY)
· Loyola University (New Orleans LA)
· Delgado University (New Orleans LA)
· University of Florida (Gainesville FL)
· Berklee College of Music (Boston MA)
· Pace University (White Plains NY)
· Pepperdine University (Los Angeles CA)
· University of California L.A. (Los Angeles CA)
· Johnson C. Smith University (Charlotte NC)
Festival Appearances:
· Goodwill Games (New York NY)
· Musique d'Ici et d'Ailleurs (Chalons, France)
· All Star Guitar Night (Indianapolis IN, Anaheim CA)
· Dfest (Tulsa OK)
· Entergy Fest (New Orleans LA)
· Oyster Festival (Norwalk CT)
· Downtown Alive (Baton Rouge LA)
· Lafayette Square Festival (New Orleans LA)
· Jammin' on Julia (New Orleans LA)
· First Night (Raleigh NC)
· Tosco Music Party (Charlotte NC)
· M.e.a.n.y. Fest (New York NY)
· French Quarter Festival (New Orleans LA)
· Atlantis (Atlanta GA)
Shared Bills:
· Moe
· Paramore
· Disco Biscuits
· Dweezil Zappa
· All American Rejects
· The Wallflowers
· Suzanne Vega
· Fiona Apple
· Lisa Loeb
Professional Endorsements:
· Brian Moore custom electric guitars
· CF Martin acoustic guitars
· Digitech modelers and loopers
· Gibson strings & accessories
· Graph Tech Guitar Labs
· Greg Bennett solid acoustics, hollow electrics
· Kustom tube amplifiers
· Levy's Leathers guitar straps
· Maui Jim sunglasses
· Sennheiser microphones, wireless
· Seymour Duncan guitar pickups
· Yamaha digital recording & keyboards
Awards:
· Double Platinum Record (Hanson, Middle of Nowhere)
Ravi, an artist whose credits span from the dives of Manhattan to the Oval Office, tours the country performing original music (HeyRavi.com), conducting guitar clinics (InstantGuitarification.com), and lecturing on entrepreneurship, living the dream, and crucial issues facing the arts and sciences (ArtisticIntegrity.org). The singer-songwriter and guitarist originally from New York City—now residing in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia following a three-year sojourn in New Orleans—has performed on Letterman, Leno, Saturday Night Live, Today Show, Good Morning America, etc., and at the most prestigious venues including Madison Square Garden, Louisiana Superdome, and the White House. Ravi also appears annually at one of the music industry's most celebrated events: "All Star Guitar Night."
The "crème de la crème" of the entertainment industry frequently calls on Ravi. Mercury Records/PolyGram hired him in 1997 to play guitar on tour with three-time Grammy nominee Hanson (the top selling band in the world that year). Simon & Schuster published his tour journal/autobiography. Electronic Musician, Music & Sound Retailer, and several other magazines feature Ravi's articles, and he has a monthly column in Music Inc. magazine. Berklee College of Music and others including NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) and most music business conferences regularly host his lectures. The world's largest manufacturer of guitars and pianos, SMC (Samick Music Corp.), sought out Ravi to represent Greg Bennett Guitars as the brand's national electric guitar clinician. TrueFire contracted Ravi to film several long-form guitar instructional videos and join their faculty of world famous guitarists. Most recently, the Baltimore Music Conference asked Ravi to deliver the Keynote Address.
With professional endorsements & business savvy, Ravi releases CDs independently and tours extensively. He writes and performs a unique twist on "pop" music, combining funky grooves with smart songwriting. His music and musicianship have garnered rave reviews, comparing him to Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Duane Allman, Peter Frampton, and others. Ravi has earned a reputation for delivering high quality music and entertainment.
In addition, Ravi is the founder of ArtisticIntegrity.org and CultureofIntegrity.org—two Web sites aimed at inspiring greater social responsibility amongst artists and corporations. These Web sites combined with his frequent lectures and articles on "Integrity" have positioned Ravi as one of the most outspoken advocates on the subject in the music industry. He is also the spokesman for The Music For Life Alliance—uniting non-profits that bring music education to underprivileged kids—and he sits on the board of several organizations under that umbrella.
He recently broadened his horizons (literally) by entering the Aviation Industry as a consultant, and of course, pilot. He has been featured at the nation's two largest air shows, Sun 'n' Fun in Lakeland FL and AirVenture in Oshkosh WI. In addition, he writes for AOPA's Flight Training magazine. Check out theRaviator.com.
Ravi, of Indian and German descent (and grand nephew of India’s first Prime Minister, Nehru), was born in Washington, DC. He grew up in a "Wall Street" family (his two older brothers and father work in finance), but Ravi traveled down a very different road.
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On the side:
RAVI - Motivational Speaker - Live the Dream
When Ravi decided that he wanted to be a musician, he learned guitar. When he decided that he wanted to work at the top of the music industry, he became the guitarist of 1997's top-selling band in the world. Ravi then decided that he wanted to write a book about his travels as a musician, and he sold it to one of the world's largest and most respected book publishers. When he became disenchanted with the direction of the music industry, he secured annual lectures at the most prestigious music business schools, conferences, and conventions to help influence change. When Ravi recognized that the way musical instruments and education are marketed isn't in the best interests of up-and-coming musicians, he landed monthly columns in major trade magazines. When he decided that it was time to pursue other lifelong dreams, Ravi learned to fly airplanes. When he decided that the marketing of flight training and General Aviation could be greatly improved, he secured a column with the biggest trade magazine in the industry and the two largest air shows in the country hosted his lectures (and all before he had even earned his pilot's license!). Oh, and when he decided moments after meeting a girl that he wanted to marry her, he married her...going on ten happy years!
When Ravi decides to do something, he does it...and does it big. It's that mentality and commitment to dreams that make people like Bill Gates and Sir Richard Branson household names. Life is a choice, and it's often only a fine line that separates those who can from those who do.
When Ravi speaks, people listen. He is tangible and accessible evidence of living one's dream...and, he made it all happen for himself. An overachiever? Perhaps. But his wife describes it as "having the courage of one's desires."
Ravi inspires his audiences to dream. He shows them how to seek opportunities and recognize them instantly, and explains how to set goals, pursue them, and overcome financial, societal, and industry barriers. Prominent universities, conferences, trade shows, and businesses present Ravi because he knows how to inspire creativity, motivate action, and facilitate success. He is a speaker who turns followers into leaders, and talkers into doers. Everyone has a dream, and Ravi provides the map to making it reality.
Testimonials:
"Ravi's obvious passion for what he does is refreshing to hear in what often seems to be a field populated by slick hustlers and soulless operators trying to make a quick buck. His presentation is the best antidote to the mode of cynicism and jadedness we as music professionals fall into from time to time. I was profoundly impressed and I know the students were too. Ravi and his message are among the best that Berklee has to offer and he will be welcome here in the future."
– Professor Tom Stein, Professional Music Department, Berklee College Of Music, Boston MA
"Ravi's lecture to my class was right on. They left with useful and valuable information pertinent to their career goals. Ravi's description of 'luck’ was priceless. He is an articulate speaker who is approachable, flexible and extremely knowledgeable."
– Professor Marnie Mintz, Pepperdine University, Los Angeles CA
"Ravi is a valuable contributor to NAMM. He's a skillful presenter, always offering creative and practical business solutions in a language that our arts-based industry understands. Our members appreciate his advice columns in the trade magazines, so we are proud to present him 'in person' whenever we can."
– Ken Wilson, Director of Professional Development, National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM)
"My students and I were enthralled by his visit and engaging demeanor. They were hanging onto every word, and believe me, they don't give that kind of rapt attention to just anybody. We're still talking about it - they continue to relate what was discussed that evening with what we do in class, in labs, in the Music Industry Club, and in casual conversation. They're already planning for next time!"
– Dr. Chris Weiss, Director of Music Business and Technology, Johnson C. Smith University
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Instrumentation
Band:
· Ravi - Guitar & Vocals
· Jordan Jancz - Bass
· Brian Trim - Drums
Solo:
· Ravi - Guitar & Vocals
Discography
· RAVI CD - "Beyond the Blur" (Suburban Turban)
· RAVI CD - "Ravi" (Suburban Turban)
· RAVI Interactive CD - "Guitarology" (Truefire)
· RAVI Interactive CD - "1000 Songs" (Truefire)
· RAVI Book - "Dancin' with Hanson" (Simon & Schuster)
· Brian Moore Guitars CD - Artist Vol 1 (Brian Moore Guitars)
· Hanson DVD - "Tulsa, Tokyo, & the Middle of Nowhere" (Mercury Records/Polygram)
Links
| http://www.HeyRavi.com |
| Ravi - The Speaker |
| Ravi - on Myspace |
| Ravi - The Aviator |