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Rocky Yera “Just Practice”

 

Throughout his career, Cuban born saxophonist and composer Rocky Yera has received several performance and composition awards, including first place in the Union League Civic and Arts Foundation Jazz Improvisation Performance Competition in Chicago. Rocky's debut album, “Just Practice”, features the guest work of multi-Grammy award winning saxophone superstar, Jeff Coffin of Dave Matthews Band, and the work of multi-grammy award winning producer, Richard Aspinwall. The album is comprised of all original music composed and arranged by Rocky. The music encompasses jazz, funk, and blues styles and showcases Rocky playing his saxophone through various analog guitar effects pedals recorded live in real time in the studio. The effects enable the use of a large, new and unique palette of sounds that are further enhanced by the full in-person dialog and interaction with the band since they are performed and recorded live and not added later as post production effects. Jeff Coffin, who's playing style and use of effects influenced Rocky's music, is featured playing the closing alto saxophone solo on “Mr. JC and the Baby Maker”.

The album's core house band is made up of Chicago based musicians including: Xavier Breaker on drums, who is currently touring with legendary organist Dr. Lonnie Smith; international jazz artist Juan Pastor on drums; Josh Ramos on bass, who is currently touring with legendary pianist Ramsey Lewis; accomplished jazz and Latin jazz artist Darwin Noguera on piano and Wurlitzer electric keyboard; one of Chicago's premiere Hammond B3 jazz organists, Pete Benson on organ; and Grammy-nominated artist Victor Garcia on trumpet and percussion. Additional guest artists include versatile and passionate guitarist Aaron Lebos, and highly coveted Latin percussionist Jose Gregorio Hernandez from Miami.

The Rocky Yera band will be performing at several 2018 shows that will be announced via social media, here at rockyyera.com, as well as over the radio as music from the album is aired on WDCB. A downbeat review of the album is scheduled for June 5th, 2018. In addition, there will be a summer release party, where the band will perform several of the album tunes live.

 

 

For more information, promo requests, or to set up an interview, please fill out the CONTACT form.

 

Album Credits: 

Victor Garcia: Trumpet, Guiro, Cowbell, Clave

Jeff Coffin: Guest Artist, Alto Saxophone solo and counter melody line on "Mr. JC and the Baby Maker"

Darwin Noguera: Piano and Wurlitzer Electric Piano

Pete Benson: Organ

Aaron Lebos:  Guest Artist, Electric Guitar

Josh Ramos: Electric and Upright Bass

Xavier Breaker: Drums

Juan Pastor: Drums

Jose Gregorio Hernandez: Guest Artist, Conga and Timbales

Rocky Yera: Composer, Arranger, Tenor Saxophone and Tenor Saxophone with Effects, Clave, Shaker, Tambourine

 

Produced and mixed by Multi-Grammy award winning producer, Richard Aspinwall.  

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