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After contributing six decades of musical direction and genius, Randy Weston remains one of the world’s foremost pianists and composers today, a true innovator and visionary. Encompassing the vast rhythmic heritage of Africa, his global creations musically continue to inform and inspire. Recently an iRock Jazz interviewer sat down with …

Curtis Harmon and James Lloyd James Lloyd began taking piano lessons at age 6.  Being classically trained, he was first introduced to jazz at age 12. When James is not on the road playing music, he’s in his home studio writing music. James has written, co-written and produced for several …

Pianist Kris Bowers is one of the newest and brightest lights on the jazz landscape. Schooled in jazz and classical music, raised amid the rap and hip-hop of the 1990s, inspired by the cinematic power of the great film composers of recent decades, Bowers’ sound – though rooted in traditional …

China Moses, daughter of Dee Dee Bridgewater and Director Gilbert Moses, has been entrenched in music and theatre since she was a child. Moses released her first single Time at the age of 15, along with her first video.  This success was followed by three albums, “China,” “On Toure en …

Make no mistake about it:  Bass goddess Nik West is nobody’s conformist, a fact made abundantly clear for anyone who’s ever seen the video to her blazing, bodacious and accidental cover of AC/DC’s iconic “Back In Black.” The Phoenix, Arizona native is well into a remarkable career as one of …

Sonny Rollins is a jazz icon. He has played saxophone with Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Max Roach, and more — and performed as leader of his own band on numerous influential recordings. In this recent interview with iRock Jazz, Rollins speaks candidly about his musical influences and training, …

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 …

Jessy J is a Latina saxophone player who broke onto the scene in 2008 with her chart-topping debut album Tequila Moon, which combined influences of jazz as well as Latin rhythms. Jessy earned the Radio & Records ‘Debut Artist of The Year’ Award and Contemporary Jazz ‘Song of the Year’ …

At 25 years old, Jon Batiste has already received a number of accolades including the “Movado Future Legend” award, and the “Steinway Performing Artist” award. His style balances virtuosity and openness and is gaining worldwide acclaim. His band, Stay Human, is creating a unique grassroots movement that encourages accessibility and …

Antonique Smith is very much known for her acting career, but she is now following her dream as a singer/songwriter. It has taken her two years of working on her album and she is very excited for its release. She has worked with Dr. Dre, Jukebox, and Danja Handz, to name a few. This New …

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, …