#nick larocca

Luther ‘Guitar Jr.’ Johnson - 1939 :: Jazziversary greetings to Guitar Jr Johnson. Luther is an American Chicago blues singer and guitarist.

Johnson moved to Chicago with his family in 1955. During the 1960s, he performed with Magic Sam. He also performed in Muddy Waters’s band from 1972 to 1980. In 1980, four of his songs were included on an anthology by Alligator Records.

Johnson moved to the East Coast and began fronting his own band, the Magic Rockers. His “Walkin’ The Dog,” was recorded live at the Montreux Festival’s Blues Night. Johnson won a Grammy Award in 1985 for Best Traditional Blues Album for his part in Blues Explosion. Johnson released a number of albums for Telarc Records, which included Slammin’ on the West Side (1996), Got to Find a Way (1998), and Talkin’ About Soul (2001).

Johnson appeared on three albums by The Nighthawks. He now lives in New Hampshire.

Jakob Bro (guitar) 1978 :: Happy jazziversary to Jakob Bro. Jakob is a Danish guitar player and composer living in Copenhagen, Denmark.

He is a former member of Paul Motian & The Electric Bebop Band (Garden of Eden, ECM – 2006) and a current member of Tomasz Stanko’s Dark Eyes Quintet (Dark Eyes, ECM – 2009).

He has released 10 records as a bandleader including musicians like Lee Konitz, Bill Frisell, Paul Motian, Kenny Wheeler, Paul Bley, Chris Cheek, Thomas Morgan, Ben Street, Mark Turner, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Andrew D’Angelo, Chris Speed, George Garzone, Oscar Noriega, David Virelles and many more.

He is currently leading a trio with Jon Christensen and Thomas Morgan. This trio recorded for ECM records in November 2013. Also he is touring and working with his trio with Anders Christensen and Jakob Høyer, with his Undectet with Andrew D’Angelo, Jesper Zeuthen, Chris Speed, AC, Nicolai Munch-Hansen, Thomas Morgan, Kresten Osgood, Jakob Høyer, Nikolaj Torp, Søren Kjærgaard and Peter Laugesen and with Bro/Knak, a collaboration with the Danish electronica producer Thomas Knak (Opiate).

Jakob Bro has received 5 'Danish Music Awards' and has been accepted into "JazzDanmark’s Hall of Fame". In 2009 he received JazzSpecial’s prize for 'Danish Jazz Record of the Year' (Balladeering) and in 2012 he received the 'DJBFA honorary award'. He is in the top-10 of Downbeat’s Annual Critics Poll Rising Stars and in 2013 he received the 'Composer of the Year' Award from Danish Music Publishers association. The prize is named after Danish classical composer Carl Nielsen. The same year Bro also received 'Jazznyt Prisen 2013'.

John Levy (bass) - 1912 - 2012 :: was an African-American jazz double-bassist and businessman.

Levy was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1944, he left his family home in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to New York City, New York, where he played bass for such renowned jazz musicians as Ben Webster, Errol Garner, Milt Jackson, and Billie Holiday. In 1949, he became the bassist in the original George Shearing Quintet, where he also acted as Shearing’s road manager. In 1951, Levy opened John Levy Enterprises, Inc., becoming the first African-American personal manager in the pop or jazz music field. By the 1960s, Levy’s client roster included Shearing, Nancy Wilson, Cannonball Adderley, Joe Williams, Shirley Horn, and Ramsey Lewis.

In 1997, Levy was inducted into the International Jazz Hall of Fame, and in 2006 he was named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Nick LaRocca (cornet) - 1889-1961 :: Dominic James “Nick” LaRocca was an early jazz cornetist and trumpeter and the leader of the Original Dixieland Jass Band. He is the composer of one of the most recorded jazz classics of all-time, “Tiger Rag”. He was part of what is generally regarded as the first recorded jazz band, a band which recorded and released the first jazz recording, “Livery Stable Blues” in 1917.

From around 1910 through 1916 he was a regular member of Papa Jack Laine’s bands. While not considered as one of the most virtuosic or creative of the Laine players, he was well regarded for playing a solid lead with a strong lip which allowed him to play long parades without let up or to play several gigs in a row on the same day.

In 1916 he was chosen as a last-minute replacement for Frank Christian in Johnny Stein’s band to play a job up in Chicago, Illinois. This band became the famous Original Dixieland Jass Band, making the first commercially issued jazz recordings in New York City in 1917. These recordings were hits and made the band into celebrities.

Soon other New Orleans musicians began following the O.D.J.B.’s path, arriving in New York to play jazz.

LaRocca led this band on tours of England and the United States into the early 1920s, when he suffered a nervous breakdown. He returned to New Orleans and retired from music, going into the construction and contracting business.

John Levy (bass) - 1912 - 2012 :: was an African-American jazz double-bassist and businessman.

Levy was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1944, he left his family home in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to New York City, New York, where he played bass for such renowned jazz musicians as Ben Webster, Errol Garner, Milt Jackson, and Billie Holiday. In 1949, he became the bassist in the original George Shearing Quintet, where he also acted as Shearing’s road manager.

In 1951, Levy opened John Levy Enterprises, Inc., becoming the first African-American personal manager in the pop or jazz music field. By the 1960s, Levy’s client roster included Shearing, Nancy Wilson, Cannonball Adderley, Joe Williams, Shirley Horn, and Ramsey Lewis.

In 1997, Levy was inducted into the International Jazz Hall of Fame, and in 2006 he was named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Jakob Bro (guitar) 1978 :: Happy birthday to Jakob Bro. Jakob is a Danish guitar player and composer living in Copenhagen, Denmark. He is a former member of Paul Motian & The Electric Bebop Band (Garden of Eden, ECM – 2006) and a current member of Tomasz Stanko’s Dark Eyes Quintet (Dark Eyes, ECM – 2009).

He has released 10 records as a bandleader including musicians like Lee Konitz, Bill Frisell, Paul Motian, Kenny Wheeler, Paul Bley, Chris Cheek, Thomas Morgan, Ben Street, Mark Turner, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Andrew D’Angelo, Chris Speed, George Garzone, Oscar Noriega, David Virelles and many more.

He is currently leading a trio with Jon Christensen and Thomas Morgan. This trio recorded for ECM records in November 2013. Also he is touring and working with his trio with Anders Christensen and Jakob Høyer, with his Undectet with Andrew D’Angelo, Jesper Zeuthen, Chris Speed, AC, Nicolai Munch-Hansen, Thomas Morgan, Kresten Osgood, Jakob Høyer, Nikolaj Torp, Søren Kjærgaard and Peter Laugesen and with Bro/Knak, a collaboration with the Danish electronica producer Thomas Knak (Opiate).

Jakob Bro has received 5 'Danish Music Awards' and has been accepted into "JazzDanmark’s Hall of Fame". In 2009 he received JazzSpecial’s prize for 'Danish Jazz Record of the Year' (Balladeering) and in 2012 he received the 'DJBFA honorary award'. He is in the top-10 of Downbeat’s Annual Critics Poll Rising Stars and in 2013 he received the 'Composer of the Year' Award from Danish Music Publishers association. The prize is named after Danish classical composer Carl Nielsen. The same year Bro also received 'Jazznyt Prisen 2013'.

Nick LaRocca (cornet) - 1889-1961 :: Dominic James “Nick” LaRocca was an early jazz cornetist and trumpeter and the leader of the Original Dixieland Jass Band. He is the composer of one of the most recorded jazz classics of all-time, “Tiger Rag”. He was part of what is generally regarded as the first recorded jazz band, a band which recorded and released the first jazz recording, “Livery Stable Blues” in 1917.

From around 1910 through 1916 he was a regular member of Papa Jack Laine’s bands. While not considered as one of the most virtuosic or creative of the Laine players, he was well regarded for playing a solid lead with a strong lip which allowed him to play long parades without let up or to play several gigs in a row on the same day.

In 1916 he was chosen as a last-minute replacement for Frank Christian in Johnny Stein’s band to play a job up in Chicago, Illinois. This band became the famous Original Dixieland Jass Band, making the first commercially issued jazz recordings in New York City in 1917. These recordings were hits and made the band into celebrities.

Soon other New Orleans musicians began following the O.D.J.B.’s path, arriving in New York to play jazz.

LaRocca led this band on tours of England and the United States into the early 1920s, when he suffered a nervous breakdown. He returned to New Orleans and retired from music, going into the construction and contracting business.

Luther ‘Guitar Jr.’ Johnson - 1939 :: Bornday greetings to Guitar Jr Johnson. Luther is an American Chicago blues singer and guitarist. Johnson moved to Chicago with his family in 1955. During the 1960s, he performed with Magic Sam. He also performed in Muddy Waters’s band from 1972 to 1980. In 1980, four of his songs were included on an anthology by Alligator Records. Johnson moved to the East Coast and began fronting his own band, the Magic Rockers. His “Walkin’ The Dog,” was recorded live at the Montreux Festival’s Blues Night. Johnson won a Grammy Award in 1985 for Best Traditional Blues Album for his part in Blues Explosion. Johnson released a number of albums for Telarc Records, which included Slammin’ on the West Side (1996), Got to Find a Way (1998), and Talkin’ About Soul (2001). Johnson appeared on three albums by The Nighthawks. He now lives in New Hampshire.

5 Essential Tips for Fitness Interns

Today I have a guest post by a former student, Nick LaRocca. As someone who interned for almost 2 years without pay I feel that Nick brings up some great points. Enjoy!

-Justin

  When most people think “intern” many roll their eyes and ask to speak with someone who knows what they’re doing. Here are the 5 essential qualities and mindsets every intern needs to possess in order to avoid the classic…

John Levy (bass) - 1912 - 2012 :: was an African-American jazz double-bassist and businessman.

Levy was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1944, he left his family home in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to New York City, New York, where he played bass for such renowned jazz musicians as Ben Webster, Errol Garner, Milt Jackson, and Billie Holiday. In 1949, he became the bassist in the original George Shearing Quintet, where he also acted as Shearing's road manager. In 1951, Levy opened John Levy Enterprises, Inc., becoming the first African-American personal manager in the pop or jazz music field. By the 1960s, Levy's client roster included Shearing, Nancy Wilson, Cannonball Adderley, Joe Williams, Shirley Horn, and Ramsey Lewis.

In 1997, Levy was inducted into the International Jazz Hall of Fame, and in 2006 he was named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Nick LaRocca (cornet) - 1889-1961 :: Dominic James "Nick" LaRocca was an early jazz cornetist and trumpeter and the leader of the Original Dixieland Jass Band. He is the composer of one of the most recorded jazz classics of all-time, "Tiger Rag". He was part of what is generally regarded as the first recorded jazz band, a band which recorded and released the first jazz recording, "Livery Stable Blues" in 1917.

From around 1910 through 1916 he was a regular member of Papa Jack Laine's bands. While not considered as one of the most virtuosic or creative of the Laine players, he was well regarded for playing a solid lead with a strong lip which allowed him to play long parades without let up or to play several gigs in a row on the same day.

In 1916 he was chosen as a last-minute replacement for Frank Christian in Johnny Stein's band to play a job up in Chicago, Illinois. This band became the famous Original Dixieland Jass Band, making the first commercially issued jazz recordings in New York City in 1917. These recordings were hits and made the band into celebrities.

Soon other New Orleans musicians began following the O.D.J.B.'s path, arriving in New York to play jazz.

LaRocca led this band on tours of England and the United States into the early 1920s, when he suffered a nervous breakdown. He returned to New Orleans and retired from music, going into the construction and contracting business.

Luther 'Guitar Jr.' Johnson - 1939 :: Bornday greetings to Guitar Jr Johnson. Luther is an American Chicago blues singer and guitarist.

Johnson moved to Chicago with his family in 1955. During the 1960s, he performed with Magic Sam. He also performed in Muddy Waters's band from 1972 to 1980. In 1980, four of his songs were included on an anthology by Alligator Records.

Johnson moved to the East Coast and began fronting his own band, the Magic Rockers. His "Walkin' The Dog," was recorded live at the Montreux Festival's Blues Night. Johnson won a Grammy Award in 1985 for Best Traditional Blues Album for his part in Blues Explosion. Johnson released a number of albums for Telarc Records, which included Slammin’ on the West Side (1996), Got to Find a Way (1998), and Talkin' About Soul (2001).

Johnson appeared on three albums by The Nighthawks. He now lives in New Hampshire.

Birthday greetings to all you April 11th Jazzlings. Have yourselves a great day and remember to take the year ahead as your opportunity to crreate the best life you can for yourself!

Thanks to AAJ & JBC for the guidance

Respect to the YouTube Massive for the uploads

High fives blog followers, thanks for the follow

and thanks to You for passin' thru'

Walk tall.

Speak low,

Go placidly

Geo

June 14, 2011 - Shame upon shame

Song: Tiger Rag

Original Artist: Nick LaRocca

Performer: Max Keenlyside

------------------------------

Hey everyone!

So, several things.

Yesterday I actually forgot to blog. I was so caught up in doing what I was doing, arranging lead sheets, figuring songs out and whatnot that blogging had slipped my mind. It had nearly done the same thing tonight as I worked.

Second, De Anza College currently has a piano open to anybody located in its cafeteria. I spent a bit of time on it today, making this the first time that I have played in public for a large number of strangers. My public experience had before been limited to playing in piano stores to "test" pianos.

I think I've grown from this experience. What I heard from passers-by as I played really encouraged me. I hope that piano stays there and I'll get the chance to show off new stuff on it from time to time.

That being said, I thought this video sort of represented all at once, where I sort of am, and what I still have to achieve. Max Keenlyside is a well-versed stride and ragtime pianist with several original rags to his name. His style is easily recognizable and his improvisation is no different. His sound is so uplifting that any track played by Max Keenlyside is sure to be a smile-inducer. There is a video of him playing Morning Air and Echoes of Spring, which are rather slow and somewhat sombre tunes in some places, but he manages to lift the beat up, which is what I love in his playing.

I thought a video of him playing Tiger Rag would match the experience I had at the cafeteria piano today.

I've decided that I also love playing in public, especially after the first five minutes of jitters.

Here is Max Keenlyside's rendition of "Tiger Rag", a romping rendition that I'm sure all listeners will enjoy.