JOHN RUOCCO – RIP

American reed maestro John Ruocco sadly passed away on Wednesday, May 21 in The Hague. He was 72 years old. The New Haven, Connecticut-born saxophonist and clarinetist migrated to Europe in the early 1980’s, initially teaching at the Conservatory of Liėge in Belgium from 1981-85, then landing a spot at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague in The Netherlands in 1987. He taught reeds and combo ever since and led the royal big band since the early 1990’s.

Ruocco was well-loved in the international jazz realm. The Hague jazz community mourns one of its most unique figureheads. It is not at a loss for words, crowding social media with bittersweet memories and homages. Ruocco was admired for his vast knowledge, uncompromising critical opinions, caustic wit and quirky wisdom. A mentor to myriad Dutch and international jazz artists.

Ruocco chose to live mainly out of the limelight, a humble touch of style that rather obscured his tremendous capabilities. Ruocco played with Dizzy Gillespie, Art Farmer, Toots Thielemans, Philip Catherine, Barry Harris and many others. On clarinet, Ruocco was among the best of his generation. Not to mention an authority on stage.

Ruocco recorded sporadically, among others with Peter Herbolzheimer, Hein van der Geyn, Ricardo del Fra, John Abercrombie, Eric Ineke, David Liebman, Philippe Aerts and Richard Rousselet.

Lieb Plays The Beatles is a particular favorite of Flophouse, a collaboration of rare sensitivity and creativity also featuring Marius Beets and Eric Ineke. John Ruocco will be sorely missed.

SULLIVAN FORTNER – Star pianist plays in Porgy & Bess in Terneuzen on May 21.

Sullivan Fortner makes a special solo appearance at Porgy & Bess in Terneuzen on Wednesday, May 21. See below.

https://www.porgyenbess.nl/productie/sullivan-fortner/

38-year-old Sullivan Fortner grew up in Louisiana and New Orleans and made his mark in the jazz world as one of the new stars on piano, working with luminaries Cécile McLoren Salvant, Joe Farnsworth, Fred Hersh and Peter Bernstein. He’s a collaborator of hip contemporaries as trumpeter Theo Croker and hiphopper Kassa Overal.

He played in Roy Hargrove’s band for seven years. (three times in Porgy  Bess) His lively and angular playing style oozes Thelonious Monk and Jaki Byard. Jubilance, the Spanish tinge and a strong left hand piano groove might all be defined as typically New Orleans. Fortner displays those assets in convincing fashion, while subtly displaying a knowledge of classical composition.

I had the pleasure of seeing him perform two months ago at Bimhuis in Amsterdam. His versatility, deeply rooted style, and spontaneous creativity were striking.

In my interview with Fortner for Jazzism last year, he said that it is his desire to play with the innocence of a child. Fortner: “We do play games as adults. But these are often about money and competition. It is very intriguing to see how children play. I’ve been observing the children in my family for a long time. See how a toddler takes a pen and paper and manipulates those objects in various ways. In its mouth. On the wall. When it does draw, it dryly states that its mysterious scrawl is a portrait of momma. This is all a game, free and easy. It’s playing for the sake of fun.”

He also made a brutally honest confession. “I’m always very nervous. At every gig, at every moment in the studio. Will this be the day that I’ll fall flat on my face? That everybody realizes that I’m really not that very good? You might say that I’m quite a paranoid freak! After a performance or release, it’s waiting for the judges. I always immediately wonder what people think was good or bad about it.”

Buck him up a bit at Porgy & Bess!