Mar 30, 2026 10:30 PM
Flea Finds His Jazz Thing
In the relatively small pantheon of certifiable rock stars venturing into the intersection of pop music and jazz, the…
Telar has expanded its artist roster with the recent additions of John Lee Hooker Jr. and Liquid Soul.
John Lee Hooker Jr., the son of one of the most prestigious names in blues, will release his debut album on the label, Cold As Ice, on June 27. The son of the man who brought the world “I’m In The Mood” takes elements from this old school and mixes them with something newer and younger that appeals to the 21st century audience. That mix earned Hooker a Grammy nomination and caught the attention on Telarc, a label that the musician is exited about joining. “We wanted a label with a family feel to it, a place that dealt with artists from a standpoint of honesty and integrity,” Says Hooker. “We found all those things in Telarc, and we feel fortunate and blessed to be with them.
Liquid Soul, the Chicago-bred combo that is known for mixing jazz, hip-hop, funk and hard-bop, will release their Telarc debut, One-Two Punch, on March 23.
The pioneers of the acid-jazz movement during the mid-1990s in Chicago, Liquid Soul expanded their musical style — a style that starts with jazz and embraces R&B, spoken word and more — that is now a compilation of sound that has evolved over the years. Led by saxophonist/composer Mars Williams, the eight-piece collective is looking forward to expanding their audience into to Europe with the help of their new label.
“Telarc is the kind of label that we wanted to build a relationship with,” says Williams. “They are pioneers of an awesome digital sound, and they have a worldwide distribution system that could enhance our exposure beyond North America.”
Not only are the artists happy to be at a new music home, but Telarc is more than happy to welcome them into the jazz family. President of Telarc, Robert Woods, said he is “excited about having Liquid Soul on board,” and “very proud to have John Lee Hooker Jr. on the Telarc Roster.”
“Cerebral and academic thought is a different way to approach music,” Flea says of his continuing dive into jazz. “I’ve always relied on emotion and intuition and physicality.”
Mar 30, 2026 10:30 PM
In the relatively small pantheon of certifiable rock stars venturing into the intersection of pop music and jazz, the…
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Each of the 25 JAMs has delivered a poster featuring a jazz legend that is sent out to schools across the nation. This year’s poster features Tony Bennett.
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“We thought it’s important that Ronin has a new statement,” said Nik Bärtsch of his band’s latest album, Spin. “The sound is differently produced, so it reflects more of who we are.”
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Nik Bärtsch cuts an imposing figure on stage. He’s unmistakable with his soul patch, shaven head and black attire.…
