rare form

Rare Form Has CDs available for sale. Go to:
www.cdbaby.com/cd/rareformjazz1
To hear samples, purchase and find out more!

Rare Form is a collaboration that began with a chance meeting in 1999. Rocco John Iacovone, a NYC Jazz musician and composer, established a summer residence in Alaska in order to have a place to get away and compose. It happens that Murray Nash, long-time musician and a composer himself, also lives in the same Alaskan town. Introduced by a mutual friend, the two began an instant friendship and synergistic musical collaboration. As “Rare Form”, the duo can usually be found playing at the Historic Fairview Inn throughout the summer. They have three CD’s to date, “Live at the Fairview” and “Please seat Yourself” and
“Conversation In 3”
Rocco and Murray have gained popularity as a duo that can heat up an audience with Jazz standards and originals. It is not unusual for their audience to insist on multiple encores! In 2002 Rare Form recorded "Conversation in 3” with guest artist Gary Frommer, a well-respected bebop drummer who played with some of the legends of Jazz. Their latest CD, a tenth anniversary album will be out soon, check cdaby for availability.

Anyone who has seen Rare Form perform knows that they have a “visual Accompaniest” whenever they play. Rocco’s wife, Denise Iacovone, “paints the music” at every gig, and sitting at “the Painting table” at the Fairview is always entertaining. If there’s a spot open, feel free to join her and “watch” the music as she paints!
Check out some samples of her work on the Jazz paintings page.

About the musicians:
ROCCO JOHN IACOVONE, Jazz Composer/
Saxophones/Piano
He is the Founder and Creative Director for COCA (Coalition Of Creative Artists), an interdisciplinary, improvisational arts group. Rocco John studied with Lee Konitz and Sam Rivers and holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in Composition from Hunter College, NYC. Rocco was very active during the “loft” years playing First Alto in Sam Rivers “Orchestral Explorations” at the Studio Rivbea; has also played with Lee Konitz, Karl Breger, Barry Atchul, Joe Albany, Larry Grenadier and the Jazz Composers Orchestra. In addition to performing and recording Rocco has been a recognized Jazz educator many years. He is an active member of the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE), a worldwide organization dedicated to the recognition of the Jazz idiom. The continued evolution of Jazz is a driving force in Rocco’s work.

MURRAY NASH, Jazz Composer/Keyboard/
Tenor Sax/Bass
Murray was the first place winner of the 2001Alaska songwriter of the year award in the Jazz category. His winning tune “X hall Walk” was written for Rare Form and is one of many of their original tunes. Murray has been a resident of Alaska for over twenty-years.
Although for most of his life the piano has been his primary “ax”, he entered the University of Arizona on a music scholarship for the tuba. A versatile musician,
Murray can play a mean Tenor sax, and these days can often be heard on his Acoustic Bass laying down a foundation for fellow musicians to build on. Many times he will play a split keyboard and play the Bass voice and the piano voice at the same time, being true to the character of both instruments!
Music runs in the family for Murray. At a young age he began to play and continued to study into adulthood, adding other instruments along the way. The result is a Bill Evans style with a strong, independent left hand. “Rare Form” represents an exciting collaboration between two dedicated composer/musicians.
contact: rocco@roccojohnmusic.com

New CD available soon at cdbaby!