Jota Morelli

Jota Morelli was born in Venado Tuerto (Santa Fe, Argentina). Jota began playing drums at the age of 10, studying piano from Norberto J. Morelli and drums with Carlos Riganti and Alex Sanguinetti. At the age of 20, Jota moved to Buenos Aires and a couple of years later he came to the attention of Oscar Mediavilla who hired him as the drummer for La Torre, featuring the Famous Singer Patricia Sosa. During his time with La Torre, Jota recorded three albums and toured extensively throughout Argentina. After leaving La Torre in 1985, Jota relocated to NYC, where he took the first steps toward working in North America. Before, after and during his time in NYC, Jota was the drummer for the great fusion band "Madre Atomica" Featuring Mono Fontana, Guillermo Vadala and Lito Epumer, recording the album, "Madre Atomica" with them in 1986 and later founding the music school "Musiquarium" in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Following his time in New York City, Jota started working in the studio and on the road with very important Argentinean acts like: Riff(Pappo, Jaf and Vitico), Lito Vitale Cuarteto, Pedro Aznar (Ex Pat Metheny Group), recording the Album "Azul 20", Juan Carlos Baglietto, Ruben Goldin, Metropolis, Viuda e hijas de Rock'en Roll and Fito Paez. In 1986, Jota recorded and toured with Lito Vitale. Following Lito Vitale, in 1987 he became the drummer for the legendary pop Artist Luis Alberto Spinetta recording three albums and touring extensively throughout Latin America between 1987 and 1992. One highlight being an appearance at UCLA's Wadsworth Theatre. On a break from his duties, with Luis Alberto Spinetta en 1989, Jota toured throughout Venezuela with Argentina Rock Star Fito Paez. From 1993 to 1997, Jota recorded three albums with Diego Torres, the first two going gold in Latin America. While with Diego Torres, Jota was involved in several side projects, including recording and touring with Seru Giran Guitarrist David Lebon in 1993 and 1994; performing in a trio with bass player Javier Malosetti and keyboardist Mono Fontana, and playing with Famed Luis Salinas.also he recorded with virtuoso guitar player"sarten asaresi'' who was his mentor. After leaving his duties with Diego Torres in 1997, Jota Moved to Los Angeles, where he started playing with the band "Bandidos de Amor" and recorded two albums with them. In December of 1997, Jota toured Japan with Carl Anderson and Maysa, featuring the great Alphonso Johnson in Bass, Freddie Ravel on Keyboards, and Michael O'Neill on Guitar. From 1998 to 2002, Jota was the drummer for Grammy award winner Al Jarreau. By 1990 he began freelancing extensively, both live and in the studio with great musicians like Al Jarreau,Gloria Gaynor, Engelbert Humperdink, Ricky Martin, Alejandro Sanz, Frank Gambale, Scott Henderson, Luis Conte, Abraham Laboriel, Mike miller, Jean Michael Byron, Bobby Mc Ferrin, Luis Salinas, Renato Neto, Marco Mendoza,Dave Carpenter,federico Gonzalez peña,sarten Asaresi,Jaime Ciero,Alejandro lerner, Salo Loyo,Pancho Loyo,Lalo Carrillo,Jeff Nathanson,James baker, jimmy johnson,Hans zermuehlen,John Guilutin,Ross Bolton,Chris walker,Joe Turano,Larry Williams,Michael Tompson,jeff Richman,Armand sabal Leco,machi Rufino,Sandra Mihanovich,Kika,pablo de la Losa, Facundo Monty,Chris Trujillo,Andre Berri,Wade3 from the soul psychedelique, and the great sound engineer Gustavo Borner. Jota’s versatile style and solid technique has not only earned him the respect of his peers, but recognition and awards. In 1993 he was the winner of the "all around National Drummer's Poll" sponsored by "El Musiquero Magazine" and "Ferimusica". In 1994 Jota was a featured performer at the Zildjian Clinic along side other drumming great as Dennis Chambers, Alex Acuna and Will Calhoun. Jota Played 5 years with Luis Alberto Spinetta from 1987 to 1992. Recording together “Tester de Violencia”, “Don Lucero” and “Fuego Gris”. From 1993 to 1997 Jota played with Diego Torres, recording three records with him. Jota also played with Guitar virtuoso Pappo and David Lebon as well as with Madre Atomica. In those years he also played and recorded with Luis Salinas. currently he has a trio with virtuoso bass player ''guillermo vadala" and javier lozano on keyboards....also he is touring with virtuoso guitar player "Luis Salinas". ------------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------En Español:Jota nacio en venado tuerto(Santa Fe) Argentina,baterista desde los 9 años influenciado por su padre chilin morelli y por quien fue su principal mentor,sarten asaresi..excelente guitarrista y baterista radicado actualmente en suiza. Jota comienza su carrera profesional con el grupo la torre liderado por Patricia Sosa,con quien graba los 3 primeros discos de la banda y despues varios mas de Patricia ya como solista.Despues de esto pasa a formar parte de Riff,solo por 4 meses.con Pappo,vitico y jaf.En el año 1986 jota trabajo con varias bandas como:madre atomica,viuda e hijas,Pedro Aznar,Lito Vitale cuarteto,David Lebon,Sandra Mihanovich,Celeste Carballo,Metropoli,Ruben goldin,,etc.Por el año 1987 hasta el 92 jota es llamado para ser parte de la banda de Luis Alberto Spinetta,con quien graba tester de violencia,don lucero y fuego gris.Del 93 hasta el 97 trabajo con Diego Torres con quien grabo 3 discos y realizo numerosas giras por latinoamerica.Ya en el 97 viaja a USA para tocar con Alphonso Johnson,Carl Anderson,Mike O'neil y Freddie Ravel con quienes realiza una gira por japon y Estados Unidos.Y a partir del 98 pasa a integrar la banda del increible cantante Al Jarreau,ganador de 5 gramys,con quien realizo giras por todo el mundo durante 5 años.En 2004 retorna a Buenos Aires para tocar con Fito Paez,con quien gira por 2 años.Grabo como sesionista con: dios nos libre,Natalia pastorutti,Jaime Ciero,Gustavo Borner,Soledad Pastorutti,Facundo Monty,Al Jarreau,Alejandro Lerner,Bandidos de Amor,Fito Paez,Madre Atomica.Diego Torres,Luis Alberto Spinetta.Engelber Hanperdink..pappo,pedro aznar,lito vitale..celeste carballo,sandra mihanovich,Vanesa simons,guille vadala,patricia sosa..etc. En la actualidad jota toca con Guille Vadala y javi lozano y aparte con el grupo del increible guitarrista luis salinas,con quien esta de gira en estos momentos por centroamerica..incluyendo paises como peru,panama,,costa rica,honduras y guatemala.proximamente estara tocando con paul dourge en notorius.., en el teatro coliseo junto a guille vadala,y el 1ro de diciembre junto a luis salinas en el teatro ateneo.