iRock Jazz LIVE Archives

Bay area native Cava Menzies hails from a long line of musical talents; her grandmother, a pioneer in the New York Jazz scene as a dancer at the Cotton Club, her father, Eddie Henderson, an accomplished jazz trumpeter and early member of the Herbie Hancock sextet, and her mother a …

Antonio Hart has long been recognized as one of the most talented instrumentalist of his generation. In recent years he has also been recognized as an important Jazz educator. In his 20 years as a professional musician he has performed and recorded with many jazz greats, from Dizzy Gillespie, Roy …

Born in the East End of London, virtuoso vocalist, actor and composer Cleveland Watkiss studied the voice at the London School of Singing with opera coach Arnold Rose and at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Cleveland was also one of the co-founders of the vastly influential Jazz Warriors …

Christian Scott was born to Cara Harrison and Clinton Scott III and also has a twin brother, Kiel. At the age of 13 he was given the chance to play with his uncle, jazz alto saxophonist, Donald Harrison. By 14, he was accepted into the New Orleans Center of Creative Arts where …

Trumpeter Farnell Newton is one of the most versatile musicians & educators in the Northwest, playing straight ahead jazz, smooth jazz, Latin music, soul, hip hop, and more. When he is not teaching at Portland State University’s Jazz Department or working with his youth jazz group, PDX Jazz Project, he …

At 25, Jon Batiste is considered by many to be one of the most exciting and progressive new crossover talents on the scene today. A “Movado Future Legend” award recipient, and a “Steinway Performing Artist”, Jon has performed in innumerable prestigious events and venues across the world. His modern take …

Internationally renowned percussionist and composer Kahil El’Zabar is considered one of the most prolific jazz innovators of his generation. Indeed El’Zabar is a true “Renaissance Man,” with a musical style and content that flows from ancient Africa to the modern world. In his own words, “The spirit of one’s approach …

MTV Made’s Award winning singer-activist Maya Azucena is a global artist making music that matters. She recently joined a prestigious line-up of artists, including Jill Scott, Maxwell and Beyonce, at 2013 Essence Fest in New Orleans, and was selected to showcase on the invite-only secret stage in the Grammy Museum, …

Born in California, Sheila E. is the daughter of Juanita (Gardere), a dairy factory worker, and percussionist Pete Escovedo, with whom she frequently performs. Sheila E’s uncle is Alejandro Escovedo. Tito Puente was Escovedo’s godfather. She is also niece to Javier Escovedo, founder of seminal San Diego punk act, The …

China Moses, daughter of Dee Dee Bridgewater and director Gilbert Moses, has been steeped in music and the theatre world since she was a child. Exceptionally gifted, she released her first single Time (1996) at the age of 16 along with her first video directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino. This success …

Damien Brown is an Australian doctor based in Melbourne. He began writing seriously after his last humanitarian posting, encouraged by readers of a blog he kept while working in Africa. This is Damien’s first book Band-Aid for a Broken Leg is a powerful, heart-breaking, surprisingly funny, honest and ultimately uplifting …

Jerald Daemyon is an American electrical violinist born in Detroit, Michigan. Daemyon rose to fame in the mid-90’s with his debut album, Thinking About You. The big-sounding Thinking About You was released independently on Jerald’s own label Jazzestra Records, before making its way around the urban radio market in the …