Interviews

Grammy nominee Gregory Porter, a jazz vocalist, songwriter, and actor is undeniably a compelling man. Not only does he stand out physically, with his combination teddy bear/ football player physique in dress suits and ties, topped with a peculiar head covering, but his soulful voice and captivating ballads speaks to …

Question: What is left for a renown musician to do after more than 40 years in the jazz idiom winning every kind of music award imaginable; innovating a new technique on how to play the electric bass; becoming one of the best known film scorers of the 20th Century; and …

With over 500 plus performances, seven albums, numerous awards, recordings with music notables such as Esperanza Spalding, Kenny Barron, and Dave Brubeck, and a personal invitation by jazz ambassador, Wynton Marsalis, to play for the President, Grace Kelly has done more at age 19 that most have done in a …

Just one listen to Justin Robinson’s robust, multi-layered alto sax and its easy to tell that Charlie “Bird” Parker, the legendary bebop master, is one of his musical heroes.  Yet, it is another titanic figure of jazz, John Coltrane that is reminiscent to the quiet confidence displayed in Justin Robinson’s approach. Indeed, …

When you are the eldest son of one of the most iconic actors and directors in Hollywood, it is not a stretch to think that one can write his own ticket in an industry that is so fleeting and impossible for most. But that’s only if you want that life, …

Nicole Henry has established herself as a force in the jazz world since she entered the scene through her own label in 2004. The Miami Herald has referred to her as the “vocal lovechild of Whitney Houston and Sarah Vaughan.” On her most recent release, Embraceable, Henry expands beyond jazz, …

Grammy Award winning violinist Miri Ben-Ari came to the United States from Israel with a dream to play her violin on big stages. Classically trained at a young age, and under the tutelage of Isaac Stern, the hip-hop violinist, composer and arranger was destined for success. She performed hundreds of …

Nicholas Payton is regarded as one of the greatest trumpet players of all time. An accomplished musician, gifted composer, writer and producer, Payton was born in New Orleans into a musical family. His father Walter was a bassist, composer and educator and his mother, Maria, is a former operatic singer …

Anyone recently introduced to the music of award winner Rene Marie would find it difficult to believe this jazz vocalist did not begin her professional singing career until the age of 42. Marie’s story is one of courage to follow a dream. She married at 18, and focused on raising …