We are deeply saddened by the passing of our unique and beloved colleague John Ruocco. John has been a huge influence in our school and the European Jazz scene.
John Ruocco was a cornerstone of the KC Jazz family since its early days. Since 1987, he had been a valued member of the faculty at our Royal Conservatoire, teaching saxophone and combo with great dedication. From the early 1990s onward, he also took the role of permanent conductor of the Royal Conservatoire Big Band. We thank him for his enormous contribution to the jazz scene and to KC Jazz in particular.
He has performed with artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Art Farmer, Beaver Harris, Toots Thielemans, Philip Catherine, Joe Lovano, Billy Hart, among many others. He appeared at major jazz festivals in Berlin, Middelheim, North Sea Jazz, and Brosella, and performed regularly with the Belgian National Radio Orchestra across Europe. He made regular TV and radio appearences with the Belgian National Radio Orchestra in Belgium, Germany and France. In 1983, he toured through Zaire with support from the Belgian Ministry of Culture. He recorded a large number of albums with Peter Herbolzheimer, ACT Bigband, Felix Simtaine, Charles Loos, Richard Rousselet, Christine Schaller, Hein van de Geyn, Philippe Aerts, Peter Hertmans, Frank Vaganee and others.
Our hearts go out to his family and friends and all who shared in his musical journey. John will be dearly missed by all of us who had the pleasure of working with him, taking lessons with him and listening to his music.