EP 84: Notes You Don’t Hear, Lessons You Can’t Forget with Roberto Vally

In this episode of The Jazz Flyte Podcast, I had the pleasure of flying deep into rhythm with world-class bassist and songwriter Roberto Valley. His story starts in New York City, where vinyl records and opera melodies first sparked his love for music. But it wasn’t just a hobby—it was a calling.

Roberto walks me through his early steps in music: teaching himself piano and guitar, discovering the bass in third grade thanks to an unexpected aptitude test, and leading a classroom into song with his first two notes. We talk about his transition from electric to upright bass, and why that shift separates players from true professionals.

We get personal too. Roberto opens up about the calluses on his hands (yes, he literally sands them down with sandpaper), and the grounding power of doing yoga—thanks to his daughter’s insistence.
From recording and touring with icons like George Benson, Jeffrey Osborne, Boz Scaggs, and Jessy J, to co-writing “Now Till Forever” with Kirk Whalum—Roberto’s journey is layered with discipline, divine timing, and deep emotional resonance.

He shares what it was like being asked by Bobby Caldwell to tour, and how being a sideman means knowing exactly when to play—and when not to. This conversation is more than music—it’s about intuition, storytelling through strings, and finding harmony between passion and professionalism.

We also talk about his upcoming collaborations with David Benoit, Najee, and Jayson Tipp, and why the bass isn’t just the foundation of the band—it’s often where the real story begins.

Connect with Roberto: https://robertovally.com/