Joan Gand: Leading the Chicago Women in the Blues
The Ship and Shore Blues Festival is honored to have the Chicago Women in the Blues band grace the stage this August. The band was created and organized by keyboardist Joan Gand and her husband Gary in 2011, and includes some of the best female blues artists from the …
Liz Mandeville: The Blues Speaks To Everyone
No matter where you are in the world, if you are familiar with the Chicago blues scene, the name Liz Mandeville is not new to you. The Chicago Blues Hall of Fame inductee has traveled all over the world playing her version of Chicago blues for over 20 years. …
Donna Herula: The Electric Slide Guitar
Donna Herula has slayed blues audience around the world for over twenty years. Her weapon of choice: the electric slide guitar. This August she will be wowing the Ship and Shore Blues Festival crowd with her blazing hot twist on traditional Delta blues. iRock Jazz spoke with Donna Herula …
Gene Barge: Dancing with Daddy “G”
The 1950s ushered in a new sound that changed the entire musical landscape in America. That sound was Rhythm and Blues. A natural product, as legendary saxophonist and composer Gene “Daddy G” Barge explains, of the integration of swinging jazz and rhythmic blues. Daddy G, a multitalented artist, is considered …
Annalee Hoosen
Annalee is a young, hip vocalist with a fresh vintage vibe. Along with her band, The Midnight Sons, she is putting a new spin on the old jazz standard with the addition of funky back beats and a vibrant creative style, that is re-introducing a whole new generation to jazz …
Shawn Maxwell
Shawn Maxwell is both an educator and an artist. This multi-instrumental band leader has been a recognized and distinguished performer in the Chicago jazz scene for years, and his music has earned critical acclaim nationwide. We spoke with Shawn about his career, his music over the years, the advice that …
Meagan McNeal
Meagan McNeal is a beautiful and sultry songstress from the Southside of Chicago. Her graceful style and impeccable talents have earned her a spot on stages with some of the best names in the music business. iRockJazz is thrilled to welcome her to New Buffalo, MI for our 2015 iRockJazz …
Audley Reid
iRockJazz proudly welcomes Audley Reid to our 2015 iRockJazz Music Festival in Buffalo, MI! Mr. Reid has been a part of the Jazz music scene for over 20 years. He has performed with numerous stars and has performed in venues around the world. Although his charismatic style is identifiable as …
Karisa Wilson
iRockJazz is pleased to have Karisa Wilson (pronounced Ka-ree-sa), as a performer at this year’s iRock Jazz Music Festival. Karisa is a jazz vocalist from Grand Rapids, MI. Her debut album, Little Girl and her sophomore album Stronger, both earned her WYCE Jaimee Awards for Best New Artist and Best …
Chuck Loeb: All About The Music
Chuck Loeb is a versatile guitar player who has played with many musicians from many different genres, including well known greats such as Michael Brecker and Stan Getz. Although known for his excellent skills as a smooth jazz musician, Loeb has varied musical interests that include straight-ahead jazz as well …
Ravi Coltrane: We Can’t Always Be Our Heros
Ravi Coltrane photo by John Watson Bearing the last name Coltrane and the genes of John and Alice, Ravi Coltrane seemed destined to a career in jazz . However, he hasn’t relied on his bloodlines and developed his own voice to carve out a niche of his own. He’s stood on …
Sean Jones: Prepared to Im·Pro·Vise
im·pro·vise (ˈimprəˌvīz) verb create and perform (music, drama, or verse) spontaneously or without preparation. Sean Jones has spent his entire life enveloped by music; whether it was the gospel he’s rooted in, John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme that flipped his switch, or the music he’s created or been part of …