Rick Braun: I’ve Come Full Circle with Can You Feel It

Trumpeter Rick Braun is as smooth as they come. Best known for his passionate style of play and amazing song writing skills, the Pennsylvania native started his career at a young age and has gone on to create one of the most recognizable and admired sounds in contemporary jazz today. …

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iRock Jazz LIVE! with Singer Darryl Tookes

Darryl Tookes is a prolific composer, lyricist, pianist, singer and arranger who is recognized throughout the music world as a truly original, uncompromising artist. Upon graduating from high school, Mr. Tookes received a full scholarship to study physics at Florida A&M University, which he accepted, and graduated in three years …

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iRock Jazz LIVE! with Pianist Robert Glasper

Breakthrough success can often be a tough act to follow. But with a little help from some notable friends, Robert Glasper Experiment is set to up the ante with the follow-up to his successful GRAMMY-winning album Black Radio. Flaunting a diverse array of featured guests including Common,Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy, Brandy, Jill Scott, Dwele, Marsha Ambrosius, Anthony Hamilton,Faith …

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Lil John Roberts and Friends Talk About The Making of Space

The excitement around Lil’ John Roberts’ debut album The Heartbeat is felt through a cross-section of music lovers. Those diverse ears and hearts have recognized the contributions Roberts has made over the course of his two decades in the music business and were undoubtedly satisfied upon first listening of his …

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Lenny White: Jazz Prepared Me to Play All kinds of Music

Very rarely does a musician get to play on a legendary recording such as Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew so early in their career, but drummer Lenny White is no ordinary musician.  Taking a cue from his drumming hero Tony Williams, White thrust himself completely into the burgeoning fusion scene of …

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CD Review: Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band- Landmarks

Depending on whom you ask, the term “folk music,” can elicit several different reactions. From Robert Johnson to Robert Zimmerman, folk music’s long reach is only matched by that of jazz. But what happens when the two come together? What happens when the vestiges of folk find themselves being translated …

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iRock Jazz LIVE! Choreographer Kamilah Barrett

Kamilah is the Creator of HEEL HOP®.  A spiritually connected, certified fitness instructor, she has traveled the world as a Professional Choreographer, Dancer, Singer, and Actress. Discovered by the music legend Prince, Kamilah’s style and brand has always remained consistent: Classy, Sexy, Empowering. Career Highlights: Finalist on FOX “So You Think You …

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Jonathan Butler: Baring His Soul and Living His Dream

While Jonathan Butler was growing up as a youngster in Cape Town, South Africa living under the racist Apartheid system, dreams had to be very important.  What’s more important to Butler is the ability to live those dreams.  Butler became the first black South African artist to be played on …

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CD Review: Jose James, While You Were Sleeping

On June 9, 2013 I stood amongst the throngs of concertgoers waiting for the arrival of Kanye West. The location was Randall’s Island in New York, and it was the final night of Governor’s Ball. When the lights dimmed and the backing screen began to flash, there was something noticeably …

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The Bobby Womack Effect

  I often wonder if, as a young boy growing up on E. 85th and Quincy in Cleveland, Ohio, sneaking licks on his father’s precious guitar, Bobby Womack even imagined the impact he would have on the music industry. Womack or “Mr. Womagic” as the old heads still call him, …

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Richard Elliot: The Reigning Merchant of Soul Jazz

  With 30 years in the music business under his belt and 17 original solo albums, Richard Elliot has earned all of the acclaim and accolades thrown his way.  But resting on his laurels and allowing others to define him is not how he has stayed relevant for so long.  …

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Ron Carter: The Most Recorded Bass Player In History

We love legends, don’t we? Not only do they use their talents to break barriers and achieve levels of greatness that few have seen, but they also use those very talents to lead a new generation to that same level of excellence and beyond. Master bassist, composer, leader, doctor and …

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