Brian McKnight: Exploring The Big Band Sound
Regarded as one of the strongest talents in R&B, Brian McKnight is a quiet storm known for his strong falsetto range and love ballads. By the age of 19, McKnight had signed a recording contract with a major record label. During those first years in music, he mastered eight instruments, …
Zeola Gaye: My Brother Marvin
Zeola (Zee) Gaye, the baby sister of the late R&B artist, Marvin Gaye chronicles the true story about life with her famous sibling in her book, My Brother, Marvin, A Memoir by Zeola Gaye. Twenty-seven years after his death, the public hears directly from Marvin’s sister about her brother’s iconic, …
Bill Ortiz: I See My Life In Terms Of Music
Albert Einstein once said, “If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music,” Bill Ortiz has shown us the interconnection between his life and music with Highest Wish, …
Guy Eckstine: Preserving My Father’s Legacy
When the grown folks were educating me on Billy Eckstine, this was the third part of the lesson. It’s a funny choice of words when you consider the fact the first two were about his charm and his attire. The talented Mr. B, in his suave sartorial splendor, was also …
iRock Jazz LIVE! with Singer Dianne Reeves
DIANNE REEVES is among the pre-eminent jazz vocalists in the world. In her first studio album in five years, Reeves delivers what is destined to become a soul-jazz classic. The album, Beautiful Life, also marks a new relationship with Concord Records —which is not entirely new: Reeves was featured in …
iRock Jazz LIVE! with Pianist Kris Bowers
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 …
iRock Jazz LIVE! with Icon Sheila E.
Born in California, Sheila E. is the daughter of Juanita (Gardere), a dairy factory worker, and percussionist Pete Escovedo, with whom she frequently performs. Sheila E’s uncle is Alejandro Escovedo. Tito Puente was Escovedo’s godfather. She is also niece to Javier Escovedo, founder of seminal San Diego punk act, The …
KEM: The Perfect “Kemistry” for Music
Kem Owens has a timeless appeal, which draws his fans into each lyric he sings. This Detroit native has graced the charts with music, which keeps us tuned in for his next creative project. This singer, songwriter, and producer, has a style that he solely owns, and is respected for doing. …
Vanessa Rubin: Sheer Wisdom and a Depth of Experience
Vanessa Rubin is a jazz vocalist, composer, producer, and actress who has graced the jazz scene since the early 80s. She has worked with Etta Jones, Frank Foster, Lewis Nash, Patience Higgins, Kenny Burrell, Grover Washington Jr, and Steve Turre to name a few. Rubin studied under Barry Harris at …
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. …
Filmmaker Andrew Shapter: Music and the Digital Age
Director, film maker and photographer Andrew Shapter is the creative force behind the critically acclaimed documentary “Before the Music Dies”. The film, which profiles artists like Erykah Badu, The Roots, Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews and Branford Marsalis, was inspired by the need to give musicians a voice in an industry …