Reviews

Miguel Zenon’s story is remarkable.  Growing up in a barrio in Puerto Rico that was originally a settlement for freed African slaves, he discovered his calling in jazz as a teenager.  Miguel arrived in Boston in 1996 having never studied jazz, yet 12 years later he received a MacArthur Genius …

Donald Harrison embodies the spirit of New Orleans. A recurring headliner at the legendary Jazz Showcase in Chicago, Donald Harrison never fails to deliver the passion and pride of Congo Square. At 51, his musical legacy ranges from bebop to hip-hop, and he has mentored and influenced a multitude of …

In many ways the Kurt Elling Quintet was just the kind of performance you’d want to see on Valentine’s Day at The Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Along with special guests, Violinist Regina Carter and Clarinetist Anat Cohen, Elling paid tribute to lovers everywhere as selections chosen for the evening were international …

iRock Jazz recently caught up with acclaimed keyboardist, composer, producer, and jazz fusion trailblazer, Jeff Lorber, in between touring and his upcoming performance January 23, 2012 at Yoshi’s Jazz Club in San Francisco to promote his latest recording, Galaxy, the follow up recording to his Grammy nominated 2010 album Now …

Dressed in a bright green sequined, ankle length gown, Dee Dee Bridgewater was as dazzling visually as her show was fierce at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She was a gracious and energetic performer, thanking the listeners for coming out in the snow and complimenting her quartet who, as she says …

Clad in his now trademark suspenders and bowtie, renowned trumpeter and bandleader, Roy Hargrove, was both fashionable and fashionably early for his 6pm set at Yoshi’s Jazz Club in San Francisco. Greeting the audience with a friendly “hey”, the adventurous horn master and leader of the Roy Hargrove Quintet, wasted …

Outside, its 40 degrees with an occasional drizzle and no chance of a white Christmas in Chicago. But inside the Jazz Showcase, it’s warm, cozy and festive where a nearly full house is enjoying the holiday jazz/funk performance of the Maurice Brown Effect. Chicago’s beloved trumpeter has come home gift …

Mardi Gras came a bit early this year as the Hot 8 Brass Band brought the sweltering heat and soulful bounce of New Orleans to Yoshi’s Jazz Club in San Francisco.  The historic Fillmore District was transformed into the musical revelry born on the streets of the Crescent City.  True to their reputation of …

The Chicago Symphony Center recently hosted a double billed performance by The Ravi Coltrane Trio and The John Scofield Quartet. Modern jazz saxophonist, Ravi Coltrane, the son of saxophone legend and musical genius, John Coltrane and pianist, Alice Coltrane has followed his own path in music establishing himself as a …

It is said that home is where the heart is. At Yoshi’s Jazz Club in Oakland, multi-Grammy nominated Cuban pianist and composer, Omar Sosa and his Afreecanos quartet performed to a full house or what seemed to be a house full of friends.  As he walked out, draped in a …

Keith Jarrett, pianist and composer is known for his creative improvisational works. He can play an entire concert without any planning beforehand. This may explain why clearly missing from the Playbill from a recent performance at The Chicago Symphony Center (CSC) was the artist’s list of songs. With much anticipation …

As Esperanza Spalding appeared on stage in shadow, applause erupted throughout the Chicago Symphony Center. She stood there in the dim light for a moment, and then sashayed over to a floor lamp and chair. She turned on the lamp light, slipped out of her jacket, and sunk into the big …