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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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …