Artists + Icons

Many artists have never been paid royalties due them by BMI & Bridgeport Music. LuShawn Clinton, co-writer of Parliament’s ‘Let’s Play House’, shares his story. Grand master of Parliament and Funkadelic and commander of the cosmic P-funk mothership George Clinton has launched a more terrestrial campaign as part of copyright …

Too many times we don’t get the opportunity to learn a person’s story or enjoy their journey until after they have gone. But thanks to the work of renowned director, Dorsay Alavi, the world will have the opportunity to ride the notes that create the melodies of the life of …

Jazz musicians spend the majority if their careers just traveling from gig to gig. Master Trumpeter Roy Hargrove breaks down in this interview with iRock Jazz the demands of traveling, the sacrifices that musicians make, and the real reasons musicians get paid.

Master guitarist and composer Russell Malone taught himself how to play guitar. In this interview with iRock Jazz, Malone shares his greatest teaching tool for any musician-being on the road.

Quantity versus quality is a major topic of conversation in the music industry. There is a lot of music out there, but the quality is questionable. Jazz pianist Robert Glasper explains frankly why he wishes people had the chance to not like his music.

One of Master pianist Kenny Barron’s first major gigs was with the late-great jazz icon, Dizzy Gillespie. In this interview with iRock Jazz, the American Jazz Hall of Famer talks about being hired by Dizzy Gillespie, before the icon even had a chance to hear him play!

The audience is equally as important as the show. In this interview with iRock Jazz, trumpeter and composer Etienne Charles explains to musicians how to engage with and the importance of engaging with their audience.

As a member of the next generation of jazz greats, trumpeter Jeremy Pelt’s music is directly connected to the sound(s) of this generation. In this interview with iRock Jazz, Pelt discusses how to get jazz out of the museum and make it more appealing to the next generation.

The Jazz & Democracy Project®, founded by Dr. Wesley J. Watkins, is an innovative project that uses the principles of artistic jazz to teach elementary, middle school and high school students the importance of being democratic citizens. Students in the project learn the importance of listening, critical thinking, voice choice, …

In 2009 United States President and Mrs. Barack Obama launched the first ever White House Music Series: Jazz Studio. The Obamas opened up the entire East Wing of the White House for 150 high school students to learn jazz history and other elements of jazz. The event was organized in …

The Jazz & Democracy Project®, founded by Dr. Wesley J. Watkins, is an innovative project that uses the principles of artistic jazz to teach elementary, middle school and high school students the importance of being democratic citizens. Students in the project learn the importance of listening, critical thinking, voice choice, …

Master trumpeter Roy Hargrove knows the definition of music. In his tenure, Hargrove has worked with premier artists, not only in jazz, but across the music spectrum. The two time Grammy winner received worldwide recognition after winning the award for two different music categories; Latin Jazz (1997) andInstrumental Jazz (2002). Currently, Hargrove is the bandleader …