iRock Jazz LIVE! with Saxophonist Jaleel Shaw

Jaleel Shaw, alto saxophonist grew up in Philadelphia, PA, where he studied with saxophone instructors Rayburn Wright and Robert Landham. He also studied with jazz instructor Lovette Hines, whose students have included Bassist Christian McBride, Organist Joey Defrancesco, Drummers Johnathan Blake & Ari Hoenig, Vocalist Bilal, Trumpeter Daud El-Bakara, and …

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Music Historian Ashley Khan: The State of Jazz Today

Ashley Khan is a journalist, music historian, producer, and adjunct professor at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. In addition to contributions to the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Down Beat, Jazz Times, and Mojo, Khan has authored Kind of Blue: The Making of the Miles Davis Masterpiece …

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iRock Jazz LIVE! with Violinist Lee England Jr.

Lee England, Jr. never imagined an introduction to string instruments as a child would foreshadow his future as a nationally-recognized instrumentalist. At six years old, he was immediately drawn to the violin and rushed home to tell his parents he wanted one. Although it gained his interest, the classically trained violinist …

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Mara Hruby + Chris Turner at Yoshi’s Oakland

  It is on the stage that we find a performer at his or her most vulnerable. There is no “take 2,” no “let’s run that back.” Stripped of all the technological crutches found in a proper studio, here the artist stands completely naked before an eager public. For this …

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Alice Russell live at Yoshi’s

It’s easy to take Alice Russell for granted. I realized that about halfway through her recent set at Yoshi’s in San Francisco, California. It was around this time that while fully engaged, I was growing comfortable within this auditory space. I was enjoying myself, of course, but my mind was …

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Wallace Roney: Learning from the Masters

Wallace Roney is a Philadelphia born trumpeter who is an in demand player who has had lots of ups and downs in his career. Although showing promise early on, his professional career didn’t really take off until he was almost 30-years old. Miles Davis has always been Wallace Roney’s most …

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Alice Russell: Natural Talent

It’s easy to take Alice Russell for granted. I realized that about halfway through her recent set at Yoshi’s in San Francisco, California. It was around this time that, while fully engaged, I was growing comfortable within this auditory space. I was enjoying myself, of course, but my mind was beginning …

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iRock Jazz LIVE! with Actor and Musician LEON

Leon, a multi-talented performer, continues to please his abundant and loyal fans while swaying newcomers with his memorable performances as an actor. Leon continues this trend in 2013 with several new movies. Leon stars in Troy Byer’s romantic comedy “Ex-Free” the drama “Soul Ties”, based on the book by Tee …

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iRock Jazz LIVE! with Pianist Alex Bugnon

Contemporary jazz keyboard player Alex Bugnon, nephew of trumpeter Donald Byrd, grew up going to the Montreux Jazz Festival in his hometown in Switzerland. He attended the Paris Conservatory of Music for two years, then moved to the U.S. and went to the Berklee School of Music, meanwhile performing as …

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iRock Jazz LIVE! from Paris with Pianist Gregory Privat

Gregory Privat, jazz pianist, was born in Martinique . At home, the musical influence of his father José Privat – pianist of the famous Caribbean group Malavoi – gives him the cornerstone of the musician he is today. José Privat , having studied the piano by himself prefers the up …

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iRock Jazz LIVE! with Harmonicist Frederic Yonnet

Using an instrument many have owned but few have mastered, urban jazz harmonicist, Frédéric Yonnet’s musical skills and stage presence crush every preconceived notion you’ve ever had about the harmonica. Regarded for decades as the choice instrument of street musicians and loners who wanted to express themselves through country music …

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