Results for "jazz"

Kim Cypher

Kim Cypher is creating quite a stir on the jazz scene at present. As one of the UK’s most exciting saxophonists, vocalists, composers, band leaders and radio hosts, Kim has firmly secured a reputation for delivering the highest quality performance with incredible style, passion, energy, and charisma together with her renowned vivacious stage presence and warm connection with all audiences.

A regular performer on the London and UK jazz circuit, having sold out the main stage at world-renowned Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and performed in New York, Kim’s experience, all-round skills and natural ability to win the hearts of all audiences offer a unique ‘full package’ for the very best in jazz performance.

Rob Crocker

Born: November 1, 1945

Rob Crocker, who worked as a radio host at WBGO for more than three decades, died on March 7, 2024, at his home in New York City. He was 78 years old. The cause of death, according to his family, was coronary disease and complications from asthma. Crocker had the singular distinction of being the longest-running disc jockey in the history of jazz radio in New York City.

Born in Brooklyn on November 1, 1945, Crocker was a musician in high school, but his life took a turn towards broadcasting when injuries, sustained in Vietnam, cut short his future as a performer. He started his broadcasting career as a programmer in Europe; Crocker co-hosted the Holland-based show "Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands" for Radio Free America.

Marel Hidalgo

Born: June 23, 2008

ABOUT

Almost nine years ago, at the age of six, two years after starting to learn the guitar, Marel formed his first band "Marel Hidalgo & Friends," playing in festivals, venues, and other events in the Tri-State Area, the Rock an and Roll of Fame, the Denver Day of Rock and more, bringing to audiences an eclectic mix of genres of music from around the world, which proved a incredible start to his career. 

After nearly a decade of a professional music career, Marel pursues a career in the world of the jazz guitar, including the solo jazz guitar, reinventing standards in the style of Joe Pass, Tal Farlow, Johnny Smith, Ernest Ranglin, and Jimmy Ponder, incorporating his own unique style and influences, bringing a captivating performance to audiences, while also playing with jazz legends such as Roger Humphries (Dizzy Gillespie, Horace Silver, Coleman Hawkins, J.J

Michael Snow violin and keyboards

Grace Kelly

Born: May 15, 1992

As Grace Kelly defiantly reminds us on The Other One, a standout number from her upcoming

Album, Trying To Figure It Out, she’s not looking to be like anyone else. “Got my own thing,” she sings over the song’s urban, trance-like groove. Although the singer and saxophone player has been acclaimed by critics and audiences alike as a jazz musician, the track’s exhilarating chorus, haunting keyboard hook and brittle electro edge show an artist interested only in playing what she loves labels be damned.

While a current Kelly concert might delight jazz purists with Great American Songbook standards, it could just as easily inspire mainstream listeners with Gracei-fied takes on the likes of Daft Punk’s Get Lucky, Coldplay’s Magic or Sia’s Chandelier.

Gus Leighton

Born: October 28, 1995

Gus Leighton is an Australian contemporary tenor saxophonist based in Hobart, Tasmania. He is known for his improvisational skills and compositional style, drawing influence from notable saxophonists such as Lester Young, Dexter Gordon, Stan Getz, and Wayne Shorter. Gus is currently pursuing his PhD research at the University of Tasmania, focusing on these four saxophonists.

Aside from his research, Gus is actively involved in the music scene. He is a respected saxophonist, composer, arranger, and bandleader of various groups including Uncle Gus and The Rimshots, The Gus Leighton Quartet, and The Greenrises Jazz Orchestra. Gus has also performed at festivals and events as both a leader and accompanist, having shared the stage with artists like Dami Im, Andrew O'Keefe and The Melbourne Ska Orchestra.

Thomas Reilly

Born: December, 1998

Thomas Reilly is an award winning multi-instrumentalist and composer from Bernardsville, New Jersey. Playing in rock bands since the age of twelve, Thomas’ passion for music has taken him through many styles. In 2021, he received his Bachelor’s of Music in Composition from Rowan University, during which he studied classical and jazz performance on drumset, vibraphone and piano, as well as classical and jazz composition. Thomas received the 2019 New Jersey Jazz Society Young Artist scholarship for his endeavors in jazz performance. Continuing his studies, Thomas received his Master’s of Music in Jazz Composition and Arranging from the University of North Texas in 2023. While at the University of North Texas, he played and recorded with the GRAMMY- nominated One o’Clock Lab Band.

F. August Bish

Derrick Bounds

A native Chicagoan, growing up on the West and NW sides of Chicago listening to everything from James Brown and Duke Ellington to Scott Joplin and Sergei Rachmaninoff, Derrick Bounds begin studying the piano at age 11, at "Dorolyn Academy of Music" in Oak Park, IL (founded by Derrick's aunt, Dorothy Bounds in 1982), studying privately for 12 consecutive years under Ms Juanita Calermee.  Later studying with various pianists including Alan Swain of Evanston, IL and Kevin Gainer in Waukegan, IL. and more recently at the Chicago Conservatory of Music studying Advanced Classical with Michael Ruiz where Derrick has been in preparation for a solo piano Classical and Jazz Recital.  Derrick, began playing in church during his teens as well as playing in the Wilbur Wright College Jazz Big Band.  Later graduating from DePaul University, BS Computer Science and also studying Music.  Derrick has been giggin' around town and out of state since.  Playing piano/keyboards behind live stage performances at Chicago's famed "Black Ensemble Theater" for 10 years gave Derrick unmeasurable experience playing in the music ensemble setting.  Derrick has also played behind several notable professional talents as well.  Developing a range of music genres to include Jazz, Classical, Ragtime, Pop, Gospel, Blues....  Composing, producing and performing is what he enjoys most, hence ultimately turning toward music full time after the IT position was out-sourced.  In addition to Chicago, Derrick has accompanied artists in Michigan's "Idlewild Jazz Festival, in New York Times Square and North Carolina's "Black Theater Festival".  Locally, he can be seen playing solo piano at the "Chicago Chop House" in the River North Neighborhood.  Derrick's original music can be heard on internet radio world wide as well as his YouTube channel derrickboundsmusic hosting vlogs on various historic music sites.

Robert Balzar

Robert Balzar is one of the leading bass players on the Czech jazz scene

“....he sounds great, his solos are thought through, he's got unerring rhythm, he creates just the right sound for the band.” George Mraz

Born in Nachod, Czech republic. Robert Balzar began playing the acoustic bass at age eleven. Robert studied classical bass at Brno Conservatory- bass, piano. In 1985, he continued his career in Prague as a studio musician (TV Big Band) and a jazz artist.
In 1996 he establish group under his own name - Robert Balzar Trio.
As a performer, he has played with John Abercrombie, Benny Golson, Tony Lakatos, Victor Lewis, Hal Galper,  Raul Midon...
In the year 1990 Robert had begun working with the legendary Czech chanson singer Hana Hegerova.
Since 1998 began his association with funk group J.A.R.
Since 2000 Robert establish and play as a part of the Dan Barta’s - Illustratosphere, along with Filip Jelinek on keyboard, Stanislav Macha on piano, Jiri Slavicek on drums and Jaroslav Friedl on guitar.
In 1996, Robert Balzar formed a group under his own name - the Robert Balzar Trio
and 1998 recorded their first CD called TRAVELLING (Jazzpoint),
In 2000, The Robert Balzar Trio recorded their second CD titled ALONE (Cube),
In 2005, Robert Balzar Trio recorded OVERNIGHT (Sony/BMG),
In 2008, Robert Balzar Trio release CD with John Abercrombie TALE (B.C.W.D.Music).                                           In 2010 RBT release CD with Dan Barta - THEYORIES (Taita.Rec).                                                                              In 2013, Robert Balzar Trio recorded in New York - Sear Sound Studio with sound engineer James Farber                  CD - DISCOVER WHO WE ARE (BCWD rec.)                                                                                                             In 2014, Robert Balzar Trio release CD VuJaDé (BCWD rec.)                                                                                    In 2016 realease DVD One (Day BCWD rec).                                                                                                              In 2023 recorded in Poland (Bielsko Biala) album CONVERSATION