iRock Jazz Live! with Pianist Orrin Evans

Two time Grammy nominee and Pew Fellow, Orrin Evans has been recognized as one of the most distinctive and inventive pianists of his generation. In a short span of time Orrin has earned the titles of pianist, composer, bandleader, teacher, producer and arranger. The New York Times described the pianist …

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iRock LIVE! with Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis

Delfeayo Marsalis is one of the top trombonists, composers and producers in jazz today. Known for his “technical excellence, inventive mind and frequent touches of humor…” (Leonard Feather, Los Angeles Times), he is “…one of the best, most imaginative and musical of the trombonists of his generation.” (Philip Elwood, San Francisco Examiner.) In …

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Jonathan Butler: Following a Deeper Calling in His Music

Jonathan Butler has toured the globe and given his audiences what they have come to expect. As a renowned guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, Butler discovered his gift of music at an early age. By the age of seven he began playing the guitar and later performed with a group of …

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Easy Mo Bee: Miles Davis’s Last Recording Session

Easy Mo Bee is a Grammy-Award winning producer from Brooklyn, New York. In his storied career, he was worked with some of the biggest names in hip-hop – from L.L. Cool J and Big Daddy Kane to the Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur. Primarily known for his jazzy, yet hard-hitting …

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Neshui Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame 2013 Inductees

The ceremony was held at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s home, Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City. The Nesuhi Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame honors iconic artists and members of the jazz community based on his or her singular dedication and outstanding contributions to jazz. …

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Christian McBride: Music for the People

Christian McBride is a trailblazer. Having been in the music game for over 20 years he has played alongside legendary greats such as Freddie Hubbard, Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Sting and has arranged for Chaka Khan, Lalah Hathaway, Natalie Cole and a host of other artists and musicians. …

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Chaka Khan: Achieving Musical Immortality

In a career that includes ten Grammy-Awards, multiple platinum albums, and an influence immeasurable in scope, all I can think about is “Be Bop Medley.” It seems strange, I know. Here we are celebrating four decades of Chaka Khan and for whatever reason my mind is fixated on this solitary …

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Kenny Barron: Jazz today is from the head, not the heart.

Nine-time Grammy Award nominated pianist, Kenny Barron, is arguably the most influential names in jazz today. His iconic career spans over 50 years. One of his first playing jobs was in the late, great Dizzy Gillespie’s band. Barron taught piano at Rutgers University for 25 years, and is currently teaching …

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Robert Glasper: Jazz with Hip Hop is Music of the Now

Grammy Award winning pianist Robert Glasper is always on the cutting edge of jazz music. The multitalented producer, in addition to working with stellar jazz artists, has worked with major artists in hip hop and R&B. His latest album, Black Radio, features performances by Lupe Fiasco, Erykah Badu, Chrisette Michele, …

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Jean-Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick: Soul Music is Alive in the UK

Creating a band, in and of itself, is a task that requires skill, passion, motivation and patience. Creating the most diverse band on the planet takes genius. Jean-Paul ‘Bluey’ Maunick, front man, composer, singer and guitarist of the multi-national UK funk, soul and jazz band Incognito has displayed such genius. …

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Terence Blanchard: The Man with the Crescent Touch

When examining the arc of one’s artistry, what must be considered above that individual’s personal aptitude of his respective skill is the fact that you are a product of your environment. Terence Blanchard is an arc type for this principle, extracting the rich spirit of his New Orleans upbringing from …

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