CD Review: Dr. John- “Skee-Dat-De-Dat” The Spirit of Satch

The most difficult part of discussing Dr. John is deciding where to start. It’s hard to track a man that has lived more than most. And when I say that, I don’t mean years; I mean experience. When you think of Dr. John, what comes to mind? Voodoo? Drug addiction? …

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Harvey Mason – Blue Note Jazz Club NYC

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 …

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Sean Jones: Prepared to Im·Pro·Vise

im·pro·vise (ˈimprəˌvīz) verb create and perform (music, drama, or verse) spontaneously or without preparation. Sean Jones has spent his entire life enveloped by music; whether it was the gospel he’s rooted in, John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme that flipped his switch, or the music he’s created or been part of …

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iRock Jazz Live! with Trumpeter Jeremy Pelt

Jeremy Pelt has become one of the preeminent young trumpeters within the world of jazz. Forging a bond with the Mingus Big Band very early on, as his career progressed, Pelt built upon these relationships and many others which eventually lead to collaborations with some of the genre’s greatest masters. …

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iRock Jazz LIVE! with Guitarist Russell Malone

“Obviously, we are in the capable hands of a master. Absolutely fluid touch and beautiful integration between moving lines and harmonic cadences. The sound of the instrument is well-balanced throughout the entire register. The relaxed quality of everything that’s being played gives it such a warm feeling. To play that …

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CD Review: Bobby Hutcherson—Enjoy The View

My earliest memories of Bobby Hutcherson begin around 2003. At the time, I was familiar with jazz, but my native tongue found its origins in a place known as the “Boogie Down.” With hip-hop being such an expansive form, I took it upon myself to master every variance in dialect …

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Bobby McFerrin: I Had Dreams Of Recording With Eric Clapton

Every once in a while, an artist comes along who is so phenomenally talented that it almost seems unfair to every other artist.  For me, one such person is Bobby McFerrin.  I remember listening to “Peace,” sung by McFerrin and written by the incomparable Horace Silver, and being moved beyond …

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iRock Jazz Live! with Singer Al Jarreau

Al Jarreau’s unique vocal style is one of the world’s most precious treasures. His innovative musical expressions have made him one of the most exciting and critically-acclaimed performers of our time with seven Grammy® Awards, scores of international music awards and popular accolades worldwide. It’s not surprising that he has …

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iRock Jazz LIVE! Filmmaker Tony Zawinul

Tony Zawinul is the eldest son of the late, legendary Jazz Pianist, Joe Zawinul and Executor of the Zawinul Estate, Tony Zawinul is a multi-media artist,musician, film director, and former outstanding athlete who held the California Long Jump and Hurdle title en route to the 1980 Olympic trials. As a …

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Festival Review: Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival 2014

While much of the world was just beginning to enjoy summer, the Caribbean island of St. Lucia said goodbye to its sunshine season with the “2014 St. Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival.” This was the second year of the festival under a new rebranding structure following its first 22 years. …

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