Jazz Master

IRockJazz caught Kenny Barron in Chicago, and we discussed the trends in Modern Jazz, and how the music has taken a turn towards the intellectual technique, and away from the heart, and how that impacts the memorability of the music by the audience.

McCoy Tyner It’s late October 2012. Pianist McCoy Tyner age 73 (now 74), regarded as one of America’s greatest jazz treasures, stepped on stage at New York City’s Symphony Center to perform as a special guest at the Jazz For Obama benefit concert. He made his way to the Steinway …

Composer and saxophonist Joe Lovano, a man who never fails to keep things swingin’, recently released his latest album Cross Culture. With his notorious quintet Us Five, Lovano has produced his 23rd Blue Note record. His soft, breathy and gliding tone is a sound that can be heard from a …

Charles Harrison As the designer of over 700 products used all over the world, it’s definitely a slight to say industrial designer Charles Harrison is just a household name. As the mastermind of all of these concepts, the pioneer’s hand on them makes it’s merely impossible to not touch his …

Bobby Broom photo by John Broughton As I call Bobby Broom for an interview, he was preparing his lesson plan for a lecture in jazz improvisation at North Park University. He spoke freely and at length about his career thus far, the incredible opportunities he’s been afforded and his new …

Larry Graham It’s often said that sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. This ideal is mostly applied to the sporting world, but when it comes to Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Larry Graham, his greatness derives from a series of unexpected events. You’d be hard pressed to …

Jose James People say Jazz isn’t fresh anymore; they say it doesn’t change or grow. For those who need a reminder or a wake up call as to what is really happening in the Jazz scene, go listen to vocalist Jose James. With his new album No Beginning, No End, …

Kurt Elling One of the enduring archetypes in Jazz has been the singer. Billy Ecsktine, Frank Sinatra and Johnny Hartman all fit that template of the romantic, handsome crooner with silky, keening timbres that can melt candles and cool champagne bottles all at once. In the 21st century, the man …

  When pianist Kris Bowers entered Ginny’s Supper Club on a Saturday night in December, he walked in a blessed man. He’s featured on Jose James’ highly anticipated No Beginning No End album, was selected to play on the super group project Next Collective, was hand-picked by Aretha Franklin herself …

Mark de Clive-Lowe Mark De Clive-Lowe is a jazz musician. Mark de Clive-Lowe is a DJ. Mark de Clive-Lowe is a producer. Mark de Clive-Lowe is a performer. Regardless of how many titles have been used to define Mark de Clive-Lowe, one word seems fitting to sum up the New …

Sinbad With a career that spans nearly three decades, Sinbad’s stint and longevity in the entertainment industry is no laughing matter. The comedian says he took his laughs to the road and has performed nonstop since 1983, many of those years he was behind the mike for over 100 shows …