Biography
The Rocco John Group originated in 1997 as a trio initially known as the Rocco John Trio. Trumpeter Michael Irwin joined the ensemble in 2006, after which the band became recognized for its interpretations of freewheeling standards alongside original pieces composed by leader Rocco John Iacovone. The group serves as the resident musical unit for the Coalition of Creative Artists, an interdisciplinary improvisational organization based in New York City. Its debut recording, Miles to Go, presented an avant-garde selection of original material and standards performed by the original trio configuration. In 2007 the expanded quartet issued Don't Wait Too Long.
Iacovone writes the band’s material and performs on piano as well as alto and soprano saxophones. During the 1970s loft era he gained early experience on alto saxophone in Sam Rivers’ “Orchestral Explorations” at Studio Rivbea. Additional collaborations have included work with Karl Berger, Barry Altschul, the Jazz Composer’s Orchestra, Larry Grenadier, and Phil Grenadier. Private study with Lee Konitz combined with instruction from Rivers shaped a compositional and improvisational approach that merges Konitz’s preference for measured restraint and melodic clarity with Rivers’ penchant for exploratory abstraction. Further influences from Ornette Coleman, Charles Mingus, and Eric Dolphy contribute to a style that frequently crosses boundaries between inside and outside playing. As founder and artistic director of the Coalition of Creative Artists, Iacovone regularly appears with the quartet while also leading educational clinics for emerging musicians.
Michael Irwin earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music from Purchase College under the guidance of Jon Faddis and Wynton Marsalis. Exposure to music began early through his father, bassist Dennis Irwin. In New York City he performs with numerous artists, among them drummer Kenny Wollesen, and leads his own Mike Irwin Quintet. Bassist Aaron Keane began his musical training in childhood via the Suzuki method, continued on double bass in a jazz ensemble during his teenage years, and later studied for two years at the Manhattan School of Music with Homer Mensch. Drummer and percussionist Dalius Naujokaitis, also known as Dalius Nojo, was born in Lithuania and trained at the Conservatory of Vilnius. He has maintained an active career across Europe, appeared at jazz festivals internationally, and shares a history of performing with Kenny Wollesen alongside Irwin.
Iacovone writes the band’s material and performs on piano as well as alto and soprano saxophones. During the 1970s loft era he gained early experience on alto saxophone in Sam Rivers’ “Orchestral Explorations” at Studio Rivbea. Additional collaborations have included work with Karl Berger, Barry Altschul, the Jazz Composer’s Orchestra, Larry Grenadier, and Phil Grenadier. Private study with Lee Konitz combined with instruction from Rivers shaped a compositional and improvisational approach that merges Konitz’s preference for measured restraint and melodic clarity with Rivers’ penchant for exploratory abstraction. Further influences from Ornette Coleman, Charles Mingus, and Eric Dolphy contribute to a style that frequently crosses boundaries between inside and outside playing. As founder and artistic director of the Coalition of Creative Artists, Iacovone regularly appears with the quartet while also leading educational clinics for emerging musicians.
Michael Irwin earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music from Purchase College under the guidance of Jon Faddis and Wynton Marsalis. Exposure to music began early through his father, bassist Dennis Irwin. In New York City he performs with numerous artists, among them drummer Kenny Wollesen, and leads his own Mike Irwin Quintet. Bassist Aaron Keane began his musical training in childhood via the Suzuki method, continued on double bass in a jazz ensemble during his teenage years, and later studied for two years at the Manhattan School of Music with Homer Mensch. Drummer and percussionist Dalius Naujokaitis, also known as Dalius Nojo, was born in Lithuania and trained at the Conservatory of Vilnius. He has maintained an active career across Europe, appeared at jazz festivals internationally, and shares a history of performing with Kenny Wollesen alongside Irwin.
Albums
