One of the true masters of the bop vocabulary, Phil Woods has had his own sound since the mid-1950s and stuck to his musical guns throughout a remarkably productive career. There has never been a doubt that he is one of the top alto saxophonists alive, and he has lost neither his enthusiasm nor his creativity through the years. Woods... read full bio

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band derives its name from Preservation Hall, the venerable music venue located in the heart of New Orleans' French Quarter, founded in 1961 by Allan and Sandra Jaffe. The band has traveled worldwide spreading their mission to nurture and perpetuate the art form of New Orleans Jazz. Whether performing at Carnegie Hall or Lincoln Center, for... read full bio

Virtuosic showpieces, romantic tenor arias, gypsy pyrotechniques - this is Quartetto Gelato. Where music meets theatre and audiences are taken on an unforgettable musical journey! For over a decade, this dazzling ensemble has enchanted audiences and critics worldwide with their exotic blend of musical virtuosity, artistic passion, and charismatic anecdotes. Classical in training - eclectic by design - Quartetto... read full bio

Queen Latifah: musician; television and film actress; a label president; an author and entrepreneur. Blessed with style and substance, Queen Latifah has blossomed into a one-woman entertainment conglomerate. Heralded by the press and the industry as a force to be reckoned with, Queen Latifah has quite simply done it all and shows no sign of slowing down. Queen Latifah has... read full bio

Rachelle Ferrell began singing at the age of six, which contributed to the "development of her startling six-and-change octave range." Her range also includes the ability to reach the whistle register, in which she references her whistle note in "It only took a minute" as "Minnie Riperton-like wailing". She received classical training on violin at an early age and by... read full bio

Ramsey Lewis's career took off in 1965, with the release of THE IN CROWD, and the subsequent radio hits The In Crowd, Hang On Sloopy, and Wade In The Water. Since then, Ramsey Lewis has been awarded three Grammies and has hosted several radio programs, including his current show on WNUA, and the syndicated Legends of Jazz which is broadcast... read full bio

Randy Crawford's initial notoriety came from her fiery vocal on Street Life," a 1979 song matching her with the Crusaders that was included on the soundtrack for Burt Reynolds' film Sharky's Machine. Crawford was lead vocalist in a group that included bassist Bootsy Collins before touring as George Benson's opening act in 1972. She has one of the most readily... read full bio

Richard Carpenter was one half of the brother/sister duo The Carpenters along with his sister Karen. While Karen drew most of the attention as the vocalist and sometime drummer, Richard's behind the scenes contributions were critical to the Carpenters' success. He selected tunes; he wrote many of their songs (such as Yesterday Once More" and "Top of the World"), and... read full bio

The reigning merchant of Soul Jazz, Richard Elliot invites loyal fans and newcomers alike to celebrate 25 years since the release of his debut album Trolltown. Where's the party? Where else-In the Zone, a grooving, funked up, horn-splashed collection that finds the energized-as-ever tenor saxophonist paying homage to the pioneering instrumental artists of his formative years (a70s-early a80s) whose brilliance... read full bio

Richie Cole is recognized worldwide for the sweet sounds of his alto saxophone and the creativity behind his Alto Madness Orchestra. The Alto Madness Orchestra was developed by Cole in the early 90's and its continuing popularity is proof of its uniqueness. As Richie explains, The idea of the Orchestra is the concept and sound of an eighteen-piece big... read full bio

Rick Braun is a smooth jazz trumpet player and renowned vocalist. He got started playing in several bands, including Avenue Blue, which was led by guitarist Jeff Golub. Braun has a trumpet solo in the band's remake of "Pick up the Pieces," which had been a hit by the Average White Band during the 1970s.... read full bio

Rich colors and colossal images, literate, intelligent, idiosyncratic, under the guise of an exceptional pop singer. While she has become more and more obscure her imitators have become very famous indeed. She has not been abandoned by the critics, though. Her music is always written about, and she is pictured in more than one book on the icons of... read full bio

One of the most popular groups in what is loosely termed contemporary jazz," the Rippingtons were formed by guitarist/keyboardist Russ Freeman. Freeman studied at Cal Arts and UCLA, and recorded Nocturnal Playground as a leader in 1985 for the Brainchild label, a one-man project. In 1987, he was approached to record for the Japanese Alfa label and came up with... read full bio

Rita Coolidge, an eternal star in the galaxy of Rock and Roll, has proven herself and enduring talent blessed with radiant Native American beauty and what has been described as the sexiest voice in the world." Rita Coolidge, a two time Grammy winner, launched her singing career with Delaney & Bonnie and Friends and went on to share the stage... read full bio

Rita Moreno is the only female performer to have won all four of the most prestigious show business awards: the Oscar, Emmy, Tony, and a Grammy. She has been listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for this achievement. The Oscar was for her performance as Anita in the motion picture, West Side Story." The two Emmys Rita Moreno... read full bio

Robben Ford is famous for his melodic, soulful and expressive style. He is rooted in the blues but sometimes reaches into jazz for a few ideas. Robben Ford is without doubt the only musician who can lay claim to performing or recording credits with Miles Davis, Kiss, Burt Bacharach, and Muddy Waters - not to mention George Harrison, Michael McDonald,... read full bio

Five time Grammy award winner Robert Cray is considered to be one of the most expressive vocalists and impressive guitarists on the contemporary rhythm and Blues scene drawing from R&B, rock, pop, and jazz with equal insight and authority. This Grammy award winning blues artists is one of a few precious talents with the vision to successfully usher blues into... read full bio

Pop music's magnificent Roberta Flack, an artist described as a "stomp-down, no-doubt-about-it diva." Flack is regarded as a peerless musical storyteller, skilled musician and accomplished performer. Her pure genius lies in her ability to get right inside a song and reach her listeners heart-to-heart and soul-to-soul. Favorites like "Killing Me Softly" and "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"... read full bio

Roy Hargrove, widely recognized as one of top improvising trumpeters, has not only wowed crowds throughout the world as he leads what is arguably the hardest working and most exciting band in jazz, but has also impressed critics who award him high scores in polls. In addition, Hargrove has been involved in a number of side projects, ranging from T.... read full bio

After over a decade together and thousands of shows, today's ROYAL CROWN REVUE is a finely tuned alchemy of jazz and jump, an elegant blend of everything from be-bop to bossa nova. In addition to Nichols, Dorame, Steen, Lepisto and Glass, the current lineup includes GREG ERBA on guitar, and multi-reed wizard JIM JEDEIKIN. Here for the long haul, it... read full bio