Jazz Master

Siân Pottok’s Bio: Siân is Welsh, Arabian Horse is Slovak . My parents gave me the chance to travel in my childhood , which certainly contributes to the continuing need a change of scenery , to discover other horizons , to immerse myself in foreign cultures. I love the eclectic …

Ramsey Lewis has enjoyed an incredible career of more than 50 years in jazz. From his early days, he has maintained strong ties with the people and culture of Chicago. In this recent exclusive interview with iRock Jazz, Ramsey Lewis looks back on his early days as a musician and …

At the age of four Jamar was enrolled in a music school in his hometown of Philadelphia where he studied piano and began to compose. His first piano recital featured his own compositions!  While a freshman at Temple University, Jamar co-wrote and produced the song, Dear God, for the Grammy …

Since the 1950’s, Japan has been a major fan base for American jazz. This interest led to a number of Japanese musicians to migrate to the States for the express purpose of learning and performing the music. Trumpeter Teramasu Hino and alto sax player Sadao Watanabe are two Japanese artists …

Zara McFarlane performs at Queen Elizabeth Hall Photo by Andy Sheppard British vocalist Zara McFarlane is part of the new-jazz/soul movement which became prominent in the UK during the 90’s. However, while her peers followed in the steps of such Brit soul/jazz groups as Brand New Heavies and Incognito, McFarlane …

Cécile McLorin Salvant was born and raised in Miami, Florida of a French mother and a Haitian father. She started classical piano studies at 5, and began singing in the Miami Choral Society at 8. Early on, she developed an interest in classical voice, began studying with private instructors, and later …

Yeni Kuti, is the first child and daughter of the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. Yeni remembers her father’s legacy, life, and music by hosting, Felabration, a celebration of life. Fela was born in Abeokuta, Nigeria in 1938. Fela’s parents sent him to London in 1958. He registered at the Trinity School …

Situating Michael Stradford is no easy task. To some, he is the prognosticating program director that injected life into The Beat. To Quincy Jones, he is the fresh-faced A&R with an acumen for musical recognition. Folks may know him as the leader of a digital movement, piloting his very own …

Tony Zawinul is the son of Joe Zawinul, one of the founding members of the band Weather Report. He is the director for a documentary on the band called Calm Before the Storm. This documentary has been crowd-funded to respect the organic nature of the band’s music and the special …

TAKUYA KURODA

 Rising Son makes for the perfect title for the Blue Note debut from Takuya Kuroda, an ascendant trumpeter and composer who is perhaps best known for his inspired presence in vocalist José James’ band over the past several years. In fact, Rising Son finds Kuroda stepping forth to …

If one were attempting to design a prototype for the quintessential contemporary musician, trumpeter/fluegelhornist/composer Russell Gunn is the model. A certified member of the hip-hop generation, Russell’s early aspirations in the world of rap music took precedence over the trumpet that he began playing in fourth grade. When he reached …

Vince Wilburn Jr., nephew of late jazz icon Miles Davis, oversees Miles Davis Properties, LLC, along with Erin Davis (son of Miles) and Cheryl Davis (daughter of Miles). Wilburn, Jr. is a highly accomplished drummer and producer, who has both toured and recorded with Miles on many legendary recordings from 1984 …