Rocco John Iacovone leader/alto&soprano saxophones
Mike Irwin trumpet/flugelhorn
Aaron Keane acoustic bass
Dalius Naujokaitis drums/percussion
Influences
A word from Rocco John...
as far as influences on my work, I can cite Dolphy, Lee Konitz, Mingus, Sam Rivers and Ornette, among others. The style is a mixture of melodic themes, written composition and improvisation. There is freedom in the improvisation, so that we can take the music where it feels like it wants to go. We start off on the changes and see…or, hear what happens.
BILLBOARD REVIEW May 2007
Don't Wait Too Long, the debut release by The Rocco John Group, is an impressive offering by this steadily burning quartet of improvisers. Much of the excitement can be attributed to the originality inherent in the five compositions penned by its leader Rocco John Iacovone. The alto saxophonist adds a contemporary dimension to the approaches used by such altoists as Lee Konitz,Greg Osby, Eric Dolphy,Ornette Coleman,Charles McPherson. Overall, this recording is a testament to the high quality and experimentation that continues to attract new enthusiasts to the free jazz idiom. ~ Paula Edelstein, All MusicGuide................................................................................................................
JAZZREVIEW-January 2008
"...the group works cohesively and often mesmerizes in the process.
The Rocco John Group are keepers of the improvisational flame, as evidenced by this exquisite performance piece."
Reviewed by: Mark E. Gallo
____________________________________________________________________________________
ALL ABOUT JAZZ REVIEW May 2007
So much of the jazz on CDs these days sounds so much the same, that when a disc such as this one is released, on which the music clearly speaks with its own voice, one must take notice.
Saxophonist Rocco John has studied with Sam Rivers and Lee Konitz and his distinctly apparent ability to both compose and improvise in the Jazz idiom clearly reflects the lessons learned from these masters. Disc recommended.
-Russ Musto , All about Jazz New York
................................................................................................................
CADENCE REVIEW August 2007
…this restless feeling that makes this record so worthwhile, particularly in the way in which the horns conduct an open dialogue against a brimming rhythm section, also seen on cookers like “Gentilesse” (with Iacovone sounding quite Konitz a la Braxton) or the pulsing “Cursory Rhyme”. A good dose of Blues sensibility also runs with the currents on tracks like the midtempo “Indigo Joe” and the (likely) Mingus-influenced “Ming’s things”. They also further show their expansive horizons with smoky balladry (Leticia”),odd-meter shifts (“Bicycle for two”) and slippery counter-point driven strutting (Don’t wait too long”). Surely passing under the radar, Rocco John iacovone and his quartet deserve the attention of folks looking for creative improvised terrains with timekeeping sensibilities.
Jay Collins, Cadence
___________________________________________________________________________
JazzWord REVIEW- July 2007
...More meaningfully, the nine compositions of the New York-based alto and soprano saxophonist are without exception memorable, providing plenty of musical meat, sinew and bone on which the veteran reedist and his young combo members can gnaw. Besides showcasing hitherto unheralded meaningful notation, the session confirms the adage that working groups sound best. Iacovone, bassist Aaron Keane and percussionist Dalius Naujokaitis have worked as a trio since 1997; trumpeter Michael Irwin, who joined them in 2006 also plays with Naujokaitis ...
Ken Waxman, Jazzword
................................................................................................................
Zzaj PPRODUCTIONS REVIEW - November, 2007
The Rocco John Group - DON'T WAIT TOO LONG: Rocco John Iacovone's (all
original) alto sax work will please the ears of jazz aficionados the world
over, especially on driving tuneage like (my favorite on the CD) "Bicycle
For 2"! He's joined by Michael Irwin's trumpet, double bass by Aaron Keane
& drums/percussion by Dallus Naujokaltis - & not just "joined"... these
players are right on th' mark(s) together. Absolutely kickin', no
hesitation & high-energy all the way through the album. Another jumpin'
tune was track 8, "Cursory Rhyme"... the reeds & brass are in synch from the
opening note, & that bass/drum syncopation keeps the music at full-tilt...
I'm very much impressed, & you will be too if you cut your teeth on jazz
that doesn't compromise & allows no hint of "smooth" to creep in - ANYwhere!
A "way of life" is presented sonically - not that '30's "hep-cat stoned
be-bopper" thang, either - this has th' mellow parts, but it also has edges
that we all have to navigate on our journey! Very tasty jazz adventure that
gets a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from us!
Dick Metcalf aka Rotcod Zzaj, Zzaj Productions
..................................................................................................................
DON"T WAIT TOO LONG won "best of 2007" twice and an"honorable mention" from AAJ
The Rocco John Group are proud to be recipients of a 2007-2008
Chamber Music America residency grant.
BIO:
Rocco Iacovone, the Band's leader cut his teeth during the loft scene of the 70’s playing first Alto for Sam Rivers at Studio Rivbea.
He also studied Alto with the masterful Lee Konitz. Considering those two influences, it is not surprising that the group’s style blurs the line between “in” and “out” playing. Rocco has developed a playing/compositional style that is a unique combination of the spirit of River‘s “free’ jazz, and Konitz’ emphasis on tasteful restraint and melodic content. The group likes to encourage their audience to actively follow a thought as the musicians toss it around and wring it out. Playing together as a trio since 1997, the group welcomed Trumpeter Mike Irwin to their ranks in 2006. Over the years, the group has grown from a loose group of improvisers to a tight group of musicians who read each other’s thoughts and enhance each other’s strengths. This is their second CD.
Rocco holds a BA and a Masters degree in Composition from Hunter College where he studied with the direct disciples of Nadia Boulanger. He has been active since the “loft” years where he sat first Alto with River’s ORCHESTRAL EXPLORATIONS at Studio Rivbea. There he learned first-hand how to compose for an improvisatory medium. The Bass player for the Rocco John Group, Aaron Keane, began the cello at age 8, studying the Suzuki method as a child and switched to the Acoustic Bass by age 15. He went on to spend two years at the Manhattan School of Music before leaving New York to tour. While at the Manhattan School of Music, he studied classical Bass with Homer Mensch. The groups’ drummer, Dalius Naujokaitis hails from Lithuania where he studied music at the Conservatory of Vilnius. He has worked extensively in Lithuania as well as playing in numerous Jazz festivals throughout Europe. He is the principal drummer for the Kenny Wollesen Band. Trumpeter Michael Irwin is the newest member of the group. Exposed to music at an early age by his father, Jazz bassist Dennis Irwin, Michael took up the trumpet at age 10. At the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College, SUNY, Michael studied under Jon Faddis, Wynton Marsalis and others, earning a BFA in music performance. He has worked with a great variety of musical organizations including Orlando Marim’s Latin Orchestra, Kenny Wollesen’s SLAM, Amayos Fu-Arkistra and others. I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4
Jumbie Records presents: Imaginary Homeland and Kakande as they team up for a special celebration of African rhythm and global innovation. Imaginary Homeland returns to New York City for their first show since their headline performance at the Zacatecas Festival Cultural in Mexico. Famoro Dioubate's Kakande brings their up-to-date Brooklyn take on an 800-year-old balafon beat, in their first NYC show since their acclaimed East Coast tour with Mory Kante. The world music show to catch this month in New York!
