Bob Ravenscroft
BIO
Pianist-keyboardist Bob Ravenscroft is an accomplished jazz musician, composer, recording artist, and teacher that cut his teeth in the jazz clubs of Chicago. He remains a constant visionary who casts spheres of influence on both the Christian and artistic communities and unabashedly seeks captivating new ways to honor God with music and fine arts.
Bob's focus is the solo piano idiom as well as an improvisational collective that goes by the name Inner Journeys. Both settings explore his love of free composition modalities.
In 2013, Bob dreamed up a project called LoveSong, which combines standard song lyric readings and other related poetry, with both straight-ahead jazz and freestyle solo piano renderings.
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An able and avid teacher, Bob has served on several university jazz studies faculties throughout his career. He also toured the country for a decade with the Christian ministry "Majesty." In 2004, Bob founded Music Serving The Word Ministries (MSW) where he continues to create and encourage others to discover new and innovative ways for music to transcend mere performance and truly serve the living Word. John 1:1
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Bob records devotionals for MSW that combine music with readings from the works of leading Christian authors and biblical scholars in a program entitled “Morning Glories.” Incidentally, Bob shares his heart for ministry with ancestor Thomas Ravenscroft who composed "The Whole Book of Psalms" in 1621.
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An essential audio devotional series entitled "Discover the Lectionary" is a collaboration with Richard Parrish, Director of Spiritual Care for MSW Ministries. Together, they've composed an extensive audio library consisting of all three years [A, B, and C]of the Revised Common Lectionary, [which follows the Liturgical calendar of the church]. Each weekly reading features Richard Parrish speaking the scriptures, prayers, and commentary while Bob weaves improvisational music into and around the spoken word. These deeply inspirational devotions are available at www.discoverhope.net.
"Master improvisational pianist Bob Ravenscroft has been a vital force in the Valley’s jazz community for decades — as an inspirational educator, consummate musician and generous philanthropist. Bob has concentrated much of his creative juice on free jazz and his unique brand of spiritual-based music for many years, and will continue in his brilliant interpretation of songs from the Great American Song Book, original compositions, and the magnificent works associated with iconic jazz pianist Bill Evans."
— Joel Robbins, The Nash, Phoenix, AZ
Founders of Music Serving The Word Ministries
Bob and Gretchen Ravenscroft
launched MSW Ministries* in 2004.
For decades, founders Bob and Gretchen have been committed to the cause of Christ, the renewal of worship, and to supporting music and the arts that serve God's Word.
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​*a private operating foundation. www.mswministries.org
MORE ABOUT BOB AND MSW
