Interviews

Michael Genet With a comfort on stage and in front of a camera, Genet says it’s a feeling he can’t describe, but knows that show business was meant for him. Although he was blessed to know at an early age what career path he wanted to travel, the actor says …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Nnenna Freelon[ You’re never too mature or experienced to learn something new and Nnenna Freelon says she is no exception to the rule. With a professional musical career that spans 20 years and whose work voyaged the world, the songstress continues to stretch her melodic muscles and open her mind …

Maysa Leak has a love for music that runs deep. From singing with the legendary Stevie Wonder to being the lead voice in the British acid Jazz group Incognito, Maysa has always shown her passion for music. With nine solo albums under her belt, this music veteran keeps moving forward. …

Misty Copeland photo by Gregg Delman Ballet is the art of story-telling that is set to music and told through the fluid movement of skilled dancers showcasing sequences such as the faille, grande jeté and extensions of their arabesque. For centuries, audiences have been mesmerized by the repertoire of renowned …

Vincent Gardner   As a musician and an instructor, Vincent Gardner balances the scale of teaching the mechanics of playing Jazz music, yet values the importance of real-life experience in the industry. As one who performed with The Count Basie Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra and others while enrolled in …