Blue Note

Modernity has prescribed a certain mode of discourse when engaging this thing we call “jazz.” Tangible dissections of sound are cast aside for more abstract debates around authenticity and contextualization. Wherever you stand on the political spectrum, if you’ve at all discussed jazz in the present, you’ve most certainly discussed …

Award-winning producer Matt Pierson’s discography reads as an overview of the best that contemporary jazz has to offer, including the likes of Brad Mehldau, Joshua Redman, Pat Metheny, Bob James, Kirk Whalum, Jane Monheit, and countless others. As an executive, Matt led Blue Note’s marketing and A&R departments before being …

The last time iRock Jazz spoke to Harvey Mason, he was headed to Japan to tour with his Chameleon band to promote his new CD Chameleon.  Since then, Mason’s Chameleon CD has opened to rave reviews worldwide on April 29th.  To celebrate and show its support for one of the …

TAKUYA KURODA

 Rising Son makes for the perfect title for the Blue Note debut from Takuya Kuroda, an ascendant trumpeter and composer who is perhaps best known for his inspired presence in vocalist José James’ band over the past several years. In fact, Rising Son finds Kuroda stepping forth to …

A. Scott Galloway is a 20+ years veteran writer and music journalist with experience in print and radio. My specialty niche is liner note essays for over 300 music CD reissues of classic albums and compilations, several of which I produced. My work was commissioned by the companies Rhino/WEA, Universal, Sony …

You’ll love Blue Note Records. I don’t need for you to believe me, because I already know that it’s true. Now, you’re probably asking yourself, “Who is this guy? He doesn’t know me.” And to that, I would have to agree. I don’t know you, personally. But, I do know …

Derrick Hodge fell in love with the electric bass when he was seven at Beulah Baptist Church in Philadelphia, and has never looked back. He continued developing his talent at Temple University, and while touring with Jill Scott. He has collaborated on over fifty albums with other artists such as …

Keiko Matsui made her US recording debut in 1987 with the recording A Drop of Water. Under Northern Lights followed in 1989 and her subsequent albums of note include No Borders (1990), Night Waltz (1991) Cherry Blossom (1992), Doll (1994), Sapphire (1995) and Dream Walk (1996), which remained on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart for over 15 months and  further cemented her reputation  as …