gRock is currently with four Chicago based projects: Just Infinite, Dirty MF and the Smokin' Sextion, Fifth World, and Fire Pig and Water Rat. Below I will list the personnel and a short description of each. J.I. is a 6-piece who's genre's are: jazz, funk, soul, r&b, rock, and hip-hop. The members include Vocalist/Lyricist- Nina Rae, MC/Lyricist- Cypher7, Drummer- Fresh Chops, Bass- Tommy Lotus, Guitar-gRock, and Keyboards- Kenny Keys. J.I. represent the elements that keep our spirits alive and a fresh fusion of true genuine musicianship made for the live music lover. The infamous Dirty MF, Chicago's greatest MC, has put the parts of the Smokin' Sextion back together again. For those of you who remember, you could catch Dirty MF and the Smokin' Sextion play live improvisational Hip-Hop every Sunday @ the Note in Chicago from 1999-2003. Most currently, Dirty has put that idea back in motion with some new elements. gRock, an original member, is joined with his J.I. band mates: Lotus, Fresh Chops, and Kenny Keys, as the new Smokin' Sextion hits the stage every Friday night @ the high class Red Kiva in Chicago. The newest project is Fifth World, a psychedelic jam band where gRock can really explore new horizons! gRock also is a member of Fire Pig & Water Rat, w/ Beat Daddy (Big) Fish of the Sidewalk Skolaz producing the beats and Kai Alexander layin' down the keys and other sounds. Their track Goin' Down is featured above. gRock's Family: Jeremy Sole, Form, Chicago Rose, Dirty MF, Ryan McGraw, Sidewalk Skolaz, Jesse de la Pena, Shon Dervis, Norman Sands, Dirty Kalb, Analog Addicts, & to those who are forever grateful forever family- you know who you are. Please watch the following clip and move furthur in life...
Influences
Grant Green, Kenny Burrell, Miles Davis, Jeremy Sole's Musaics, Johnny Guitar Watson, Albert Collins, The Meters, The Whitefield Brothers, Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Greyboy Allstars, Liquid Soul, Tom Sanchez, Rueben Wilson, Jimmy Smith, Parliament-Funkadelic, Grateful Dead- Jerry Garcia/Bob Weir, Form, Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie, Robert Johnson, Sun House, John Lee Hooker, Herb Ellis, Flanger, Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, Roy Ayers, Black Sabbath, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Quantic, St. Germain, Madlib, Brooklyn Funk Essentials, Groove Collective, Medeski Martin and Wood, DJ Krush, Boogie Shoes, The Baldwin Brothers, IL, Sidewalk Skolaz, KOW, Jesse de la Pena, Common, Cut Chemist, Luke Vibert, Wagon Christ, Squarepusher, CSN&Y, Santana, Randy Rhodes, Eddie Van Halen, Bach, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Steve Kimock, Ken Kesey, Albert Hoffman, Merry Pranksters, Primus, Ron Carter, Gene Harris, Ray Brown, Oscar Peterson, Ahmad Jamal, P-1, Estero, Portishead, Beat Junkies, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Benevento Russo Duo...
gRock has been inspired. Lately I have quit smoking and have decided to spend my time learning how to tread w/ a light footprint on this wonderful planet earth. My research began w/ quantum physics, energy healing, and now my diet. I urge everyone to see the documentary GO FURTHER by Woody Harrelson- it can be rented at Blockbuster. The movie is about Simple Organic Living. For my music to be organic and fresh, I decided I myself needed to be physically and emotionally organic. With a little help from my friends, this path will guide me and my music to higher and infinite spaces.
Check out sample tracks from our new album, Falling Together Falling Apart, on our Myspace Page.
"All in all, Aaron Koppel and company...have produced a lovely, lively collection marked by intelligent writing, emotional depth, and sterling musicianship." -Neil Tesser
JFJO returns to CHICAGO at the House of Blues on SAT. APRIL 4th with the new quartet lineup, in support of 'Winterwood' - the new studio album available as FREE download at www.JFJO.com! Fifth World opens. See you there!
JFJO returns to CHICAGO at the House of Blues on SAT. APRIL 4th with the new quartet lineup, in support of 'Winterwood' - the new studio album available as FREE download at www.JFJO.com! Fifth World opens. See you there!
JFJO returns to CHICAGO at the House of Blues on SAT. APRIL 4th with the new quartet lineup, in support of 'Winterwood' - the new studio album available as FREE download at www.JFJO.com! Fifth World opens. See you there!
New hats! Flex fit flat brims. Sizes small and large. Brown, Black, White, and Grey message me. www. darksidefamilyclothing. com under construction but will be up soon!
