Richard Baratta has worn many hats over the decades: master drummer, Grammy nominee, film producer, musician; but his latest headwear takes us down a nostalgic road of classic rock and soul recordings from the mid to late 1960s.

Baratta returned to his original love, music, after a very successful 35 year career in the film business. With over 50 years of experience as a jazz drummer, he enjoys the free flowing innovative sensibility that he applies to his work in the film industry. As 30-year member of the Directors Guild of America, as well as the Producers Guild of America, Baratta has worked on many Academy Award-nominated films, including “Donnie Brasco,” “The Wolf Of Wall Street,” “The Irishman,” “Joker” and others.

Since 2020 Baratta has recorded six projects, most notably the album “Music in Film” featuring Grammy nominated track “Chopsticks,” with his current working band of Vincent Herring, Bill O’Connell, Paul Bollenback, Michael Goetz and Paul Rossman. “Music In Film The Sequel,” is a similar follow up, building and exploring more film compositions. “Off The Charts,” the fourth project was a critically acclaimed, audience favorite, looking back at some of the classic B-sides of Jazz from the 1970s, with musicians, John Patitucci, Jerry Bergonzi, David Kikoski, and Paul Rossman. All three of these recording spent many weeks on Jazz Week, the definitive guide to national airplay.

Baratta’s last recording, “Looking Back,” released on Savant Records in February 2025 with his working band, explores such tunes as Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze”, James Brown’s “I Feel Good”, The Beatles’ “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds”, Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love”, Aretha Franklin’s “Respect”, and five other rock classics. The arrangements by pianist Bill O’Connell are absolutely swinging affairs with a fresh unique approach and a funky Latin Jazz feel.

Never one to rest on his laurels, Baratta keeps pushing the envelope and presenting musical projects that inspire listening from different perspectives. Hearing this band live is truly a treat for the ears and you don’t want to miss an opportunity to see them perform.

On May 22, 2026 Baratta’s latest recording, a very unique, fresh and modern approach to Charlie Parker’s music will be released. This is sure to turn some heads.