Album Notes

A WORD FROM THE COMPOSER...
The songs here represent either a character, event, a feeling or expression; or, in the case of the title cut, a philosophy. This CD is a slice of life, something I have experienced. 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. This recording is a snapshot of what the band was doing at this time and how we did it that day. We went into the recording studio on a sunny day in June, recorded for twelve hours,
and this is the result. This is our second CD. The first one, "Miles To Go" is also sold on CDbaby. Check out our website at www.roccojohnmusic.com or our myspace page "the roccojohngroup" for a gig schedule -Rocco John Iacovone
BIOGRAPHY
Rocco 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.
The group is known for their free-wheeling interpretations of Jazz standards and the original compositions of its founder; Rocco John Iacovone (Composer/Alto and Soprano Saxes/Piano) The Rocco John Group serves as the “musicians in residence” for the NYC-based interdisciplinary arts group, the Coalition of Creative Artists (COCA).The Rocco John Group appears frequently in Greenwich Village, NYC and has a dedicated fan-base. They have also played at The Greenwich Village Bistro, Zebulon, Gotham Hall, Tavern on the Green, and the Frying Pan.

Rocco holds a BA and a Masters degree in Composition from Hunter College where he studied with the direct disciples of Nadia Boulanger. As mentioned earlier, Rocco studied with and played under Lee Konitz and Sam Rivers. 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. Since graduation four years ago, 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.