It is with heavy hearts that we share this message. Chicago blues pianist and member of our IROCKU family, Marty Sammon, passed away on October 15, 2022; one day after his 45th birthday. Marty was born and raised in Chicago and began playing the Chicago clubs by the (under)age of 15. Marty was as genuine and true to Chicago Blues piano as Dr. John was to New Orleans piano. He was best known for his 10+ year gig with Buddy Guy and was a regular at Buddy Guy’s Chicago club ‘Legends’. He left his energetic imprint on dozens of recordings including those of Devon Allman, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Carlos Santana, Otis Rush and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. Marty had a dynamic style, sounding loose while commanding incredible precision on the keys...Marty was also a gem of a person. In 2015, …
Rock Camp with Chuck Leavell, November 17th – 20th, 2022
Chuck will be headlining a live rock camp in NYC on Thursday November 17 thru Sunday Nov 20. The camp will feature ACE FREHLEY, NELS CLINE, CHUCK LEAVELL, SIMON KIRKE AND MORE SURPRISE GUESTS! This BEATLES VS STONES Fantasy Camp is a camp for musicians to take their skills and confidence to the next level, realize their dreams are possible, and create bonds and friendships for life with fellow aspiring musicians. Playing with the camp's counselors and guest star musicians over four days will make YOU a better musician! At this camp, you will select the band you want to join, jam hits from both the Rolling Stones, The Beatles, WILCO, FREE, BAD COMPANY and more - and prove YOUR favorite is the better band at the final night’s showdown at THE CUTTING ROOM! Your choice in band does …
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Welcome Eric “Scorch” Scortia – Piano Instructor
IROCKU is delighted to welcome Eric “Scorch” Scortia to our team of writers and instructors. Texas-based “Scorch” is a multi-keyboardist and bandleader who specializes in blues, rock, jazz, gospel and country. He has decades of touring, performance, and teaching experience and holds a degree from the University of North Texas School of Music. Early in his career, Scorch became friends with fellow keyboardist Chuck Leavell while they were on tour together, and is proud to join up with Chuck again on IROCKU. Purchase a Private Lesson with Scorch: Scorch has performed with numerous legendary musicians, including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Wynton Marsalis, Delbert McClinton, Bo Diddley, and many more. He has recorded on and produced numerous album projects and has four solo albums …
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How to Slow Down and Loop the IROCKU Piano Lesson Videos
The IROCKU video player has Slow-Down, Speed-Up, and Looping features so you can highlight specific portions of the lesson videos and slowly follow the instructors hands on the piano keys. This is particularly useful for sections that contain technically challenging fingering or complex rhythms. It is also a great resource for students who don't read music and rely solely on the videos to learn. Slow Down and Speed Up First, let's see how to slow down the videos. From the image below, you will see an arrow at the bottom of the video player showing - + buttons. Click on the - button to slow down the video and and click on the + button to speed up the video. The resulting playback speed will be momentarily displayed at the top of the screen. Looping Now let's look into how …
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Playing IROCKU Videos on Android
Since our videos have looping and slow down features you might need to set your Android browser to support these features. Please follow the steps below: Learn how to play rock and blues piano from one of rock’s greatest. Chuck Leavell, legendary keyboardist for The Rolling Stones, The Allman Bros, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and more. Join Now and SAVE!!! …
A Night Of Georgia Music
A Night of Georgia Music will be performed by musicians with deep connections to Georgia: R.E.M. bassist and songwriter Mike Mills, award-winning violinist Robert McDuffie, and Rolling Stones keyboardist and musical director Chuck Leavell. The night will feature songs of Georgia’s favorite contemporary musicians, including: Ray Charles, The Allman Brothers Band, Outkast, Gram Parsons, Gregg Allman, R.E.M., Gladys Knight and the Pips, Brook Benton, Otis Redding, James Brown, plus the Mills-composed Concerto for Violin, Rock Band and String Orchestra. Location: The Grand Opera House, Macon Ga Time: 7:30PM Learn how to play rock and blues piano from one of rock’s greatest. Chuck Leavell, legendary keyboardist for The Rolling Stones, The Allman Bros, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and …
Welcome Russell Jamie Johnson- Voice Instructor
IROCKU is delighted to welcome Russell Jamie Johnson to our team of writers and instructors. Russell Jamie Johnson is an American singer, songwriter, and actor based in New York City. Russell Johnson discovered his voice for the first time as a child. Soon after, Russell picked up the guitar quickly by watching his brother play. He grew up inspired by the songwriting of The Smiths and Bob Dylan. However, it was following the sudden death of his father in 2009 where Russell’s hobby transformed into a source of healing, freedom, and connection. His passion led him to Boston where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Songwriting and Voice Studies from Berklee College of Music in 2016. During his time there, he performed and worked with music industry luminaries Chuck Leavell, (Allman …
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Thank you, Charlie, and rest in peace
“We are all shocked and devastated to lose Charlie. I feel broken. There has been no man finer, more elegant and more beautiful to walk the Earth than Charlie Watts. All class. As a musician, his timing and beat were impeccable, his touch delicate yet so powerful. His sense of what and what not to play was unsurpassed. It has been the honor of my life to have played with him over the last 40 years, and to have called him a friend. My heart goes out to his beautiful family. My sincere thanks to all that have sent condolences to me. Far too many for me to answer individually, but you know who you are.” Chuck Leavell It is with a heavy heart and deepest sorrow that IROCKU acknowledges the death of Rolling Stones’ drummer, Charlie Watts, arguably the greatest drummer in rock and roll …
IROCKU Student Wins ‘Blues Kid of the Year’
IROCKU student, Dylan James Shaw, has been named the 'Blues Kid of the Year' by the Chicago Blues Kid Foundation. Congratulations Dylan James!!! Dylan James started with IROCKU about a year ago. Dylan James had been playing keyboard since he was 3 and has a very good ear so he already came to IROCKU as an advanced player for his age. Along with working on the IROCKU video lessons, Dylan James has been taking zoom lessons with Chuck, Rory Stuart, and Bruce Katz. Chuck has taught Dylan some of his personal blues techniques while Rory has shown Dylan James how to play complex rhythm patterns. Dylan James has also been taking weekly zoom lessons with Bruce Katz. Bruce's connection with Dylan has been magical. Bruce has helped Dylan to find his own personal groove which is a …
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Summer Rock ‘n roll Reading List
Just finished reading "Fix it in the Mix" by Paul Hornsby. "Fix it in the Mix" is the memoir of Paul Hornsby, the acclaimed record producer and musician best known for his work at Capricorn Records during the 1970s. Early on in his career, Hornsby joined up with Gregg and Duane Allman as a member in the band HourGlass. He is best known for his work producing and engineer the Marshall Tucker Band and The Charlie Daniel bands. His memoir is a history lesson and roadmap of Southern Rock. Please share what you've been reading. Keep rockin. …
Coming Up!!! Blues and New Orleans Piano Webinar with Bruce Katz, June 5
In this webinar Bruce Katz will teach Blues and New Orleans inspired ideas and techniques. Bruce will cover improvisation, turnarounds and harmonic ideas that create variety and interest. Bruce will show how to add depth and richness to your playing by using all 10 fingers and 88 keys! THIS WEBINAR IS NOW CLOSED. WE WILL BE POSTING A VIDEO OF THE WEBINAR SHORTLY. THANK YOU! The outline for the webinar is: Introduction and review of blues basics involving drone notes, 3rds, 6ths, grace notes and a review of the melodic form. Improvisation ideas on how to stretch beyond the "blues scale" using chromaticism and notes not immediately associated with the blues scale. The discussion will also include creating real melodies, not just runs and scales. And singing what you play! …
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