Jul 9, 2024 11:35 AM
Trumpeter, Educator Jim Rotondi Dies at 61
Jim Rotondi, a renowned hard-bop trumpeter, composer and educator, died suddenly on July 7 at a hospital in France. He…
Grammy Award-nominated songwriter, producer and guitarist Cory Wong is set for a busy year. He’s releasing a new album, going on tour, debuting a new season of his Wong Notes podcast and bringing back Cory and the Wongnotes, his online musical variety series showcasing live performances, original sketch comedy, special guests and interviews.
The series’ second season premiered April 12 on the Minneapolis, Minnesota-based artist’s YouTube channel, with new episodes set to debut each Tuesday. The new season of Cory and the Wongnotes will feature extended episodes showcasing long-form interviews, new sketches and collaborations with musical guests including Chromeo, Billy Strings, Big Wild, Victor Wooten, Béla Fleck, Lindsay Ell, Mark Lettieri, Sierra Hull, Larry Carlton, Joey Dosik and Nate Smith.
“This season of Cory and The Wongnotes is exciting for me because I got to invite some of my musical heroes on to the show, and even write music with them,” Wong says. “The guests on this season are incredible musicians; each with an interesting and unique journey with how they’ve arrived where they’re at. I got to dive deep with them both musically and personally with extended interviews and recording live in the room together. Each episode has its own theme and I was able to explore how those themes relate to everyday life as a musician. The sketch comedy plays off of each theme and how my mind sees the world through the musician’s lens.”
The new season of Cory and the Wongnotes will also showcase Wong’s upcoming new album, Power Station, which came out on April 29.
Additionally, Wong is touring in 2022. North American dates began April 29 with two late-night sets at New Orleans, Louisiana’s Republic NOLA as part of the 9th Annual Nolafunk Series During Jazz Fest. See complete dates here. DB
Jul 9, 2024 11:35 AM
Jim Rotondi, a renowned hard-bop trumpeter, composer and educator, died suddenly on July 7 at a hospital in France. He…
Jul 11, 2024 12:23 PM
The incomparable Charles Lloyd swept the 72nd Annual DownBeat Critics Poll, becoming the first artist ever to earn…
Jun 4, 2024 12:21 PM
Sitting with Don Was is a comfortable and unhurried exercise. He may seem slightly reserved at first, but ideas and…
May 21, 2024 12:58 PM
Players got to play. It’s long been a part of jazz history: When there’s a venue vacuum, when there are fewer…
Jun 11, 2024 12:31 PM
Italy’s Umbria Jazz Winter is one of those rare annual festivals that not only coincides with a major holiday —…