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The US Launch of The Session Man: Nicky Hopkins

In the golden age of Rock and Roll, bands consisted of guitar and drums, until they realized that the piano added harmonic richness and melodic flair. Then along came the legendary pianist, Nicky Hopkins. NICKY contributed on over 250 albums. “Nicky would come up with these little vignettes that were so memorable. Y’know you would hear it and you’d say, ‘WOW. That, that makes that song." Chuck Leavell THE SESSION MAN: NICKY HOPKINS film, which features Chuck, is currently screening in movie theaters across Japan, and will soon be released in the US and the rest of the world. IROCKU is thrilled to support The Session Man's Crowd Funding  to help cover the ongoing marketing, promotion, and distribution of the film. For each contribution of $100 or more, IROCKU will provide an …

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A Night Of Georgia Music, featuring Chuck Leavell, wins Emmy Award

A Night of Georgia Music, featuring internationally renowned violin soloist and Macon native Robert McDuffie, former Allman Brothers Band member and current Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell, and R.E.M. founding member and Macon native Mike Mills, won an Emmy Award in the arts/entertainment category at the 49th annual Southeast Regional Emmy Awards ceremony in Atlanta on June 17. The concert showcases some of the most iconic songs to come out of the Peach State. A Night of Georgia Music Interview with Chuck Leavell Learn how to play rock and blues piano from one of rock’s greatest. Chuck Leavell, legendary keyboardist for The Rolling Stones, The Allman Bros, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and more. Join Now and SAVE!!! …

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Chuck Leavell and Trouble No More at NYC & Boston

Chuck Leavell will be joining Allman Brother's Tribute Band, 'Trouble No More', to honor the 50th Anniversary of the Allman Brothers Band's  Brother's & Sisters album. The album was released in 1973 under the Capricorn Records label with over seven million copies sold worldwide and “Ramblin’ Man” landed the ABB their first and only hit single. The album features Chuck's famous piano solo on the song "Jessica" which galvanized his standing as one of rock's greatest keyboard players and made him an instant member of rock royalty. Chuck is equally proud of his solo on the song "Jelly Jelly".  "Jelly Jelly", the only song on the record that wasn't written by Gregg Allman or Dickey Betts, didn't even make it onto the record's liner notes. "Jelly Jelly' was written in 1941 by Earl Hines …

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“Jessica” Piano Solo – The Student and the Teacher

Chuck Leavell was the featured 'Rock Star' at Rock Camp in NYC on Nov 18. To everyone's shock and amazement, this might have been the only time in Chuck's musical career where he was on stage sitting behind the keyboards and he didn't play the iconic "Jessica" solo that he is so famously, and reverentially, known for. When the opening for the solo came around 15 year old Dylan James Shaw stepped up to the keys and Chuck graciously sat back and let Dylan James run with it.  Dylan James performed an impressive rendition of one of rock's most famous solos. Dylan James started playing piano when he was 3 years old. In an era of pop, rap , and hip hop Dylan has instead embraced the blues. In 2021 he was selected by the Chicago Blues foundation to be the Blues Kid Of The Year. Dylan has been …

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Rock Camp with Chuck Leavell, November 17th – 20th, 2022

  Chuck will be headlining a live rock camp in NYC on Thursday November 17 thru Sunday Nov 20. The camp will feature ACE FREHLEY, NELS CLINE, CHUCK LEAVELL, SIMON KIRKE AND MORE SURPRISE GUESTS! This BEATLES VS STONES Fantasy Camp is a camp for musicians to take their skills and confidence to the next level, realize their dreams are possible, and create bonds and friendships for life with fellow aspiring musicians. Playing with the camp's counselors and guest star musicians over four days will make YOU a better musician! At this camp, you will select the band you want to join, jam hits from both the Rolling Stones, The Beatles, WILCO, FREE, BAD COMPANY and more - and prove YOUR favorite is the better band at the final night’s showdown at THE CUTTING ROOM! Your choice in band does …

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A Night Of Georgia Music

 A Night of Georgia Music will be performed by musicians with deep connections to Georgia: R.E.M. bassist and songwriter Mike Mills, award-winning violinist Robert McDuffie, and Rolling Stones keyboardist and musical director Chuck Leavell. The night will feature songs of Georgia’s favorite contemporary musicians, including: Ray Charles, The Allman Brothers Band, Outkast, Gram Parsons, Gregg Allman, R.E.M., Gladys Knight and the Pips, Brook Benton, Otis Redding, James Brown, plus the Mills-composed Concerto for Violin, Rock Band and String Orchestra. Location: The Grand Opera House, Macon Ga Time: 7:30PM Learn how to play rock and blues piano from one of rock’s greatest. Chuck Leavell, legendary keyboardist for The Rolling Stones, The Allman Bros, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, and …

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IROCKU Student Wins ‘Blues Kid of the Year’

IROCKU student, Dylan James Shaw, has been named the 'Blues Kid of the Year' by the Chicago Blues Kid Foundation. Congratulations Dylan James!!! Dylan James started with IROCKU about a year ago. Dylan James had been playing keyboard since he was 3 and has a very good ear so he already came to IROCKU as an advanced player for his age.   Along with working on the IROCKU video lessons, Dylan James has been taking zoom lessons with Chuck, Rory Stuart, and Bruce Katz.   Chuck has taught Dylan some of his personal blues techniques while Rory has shown Dylan James how to play complex rhythm patterns. Dylan James has also been taking weekly zoom lessons with Bruce Katz. Bruce's connection with Dylan has been magical. Bruce has helped Dylan to find his own personal groove which is a …

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Coming Up!!! Blues Piano Webinar with Chuck Leavell, Oct 10

In this webinar Chuck will share ideas on techniques he uses while playing the blues. Chuck will share stories about artists he's played with and offer insights into legendary sessions and performances, teach specific techniques that are unique to him, and take questions from the participants. The webinar is focused on intermediate and advanced players but all levels are welcome.. Levels: Intermediate and Advanced ( but all levels are welcome) Date and Time: October 10 @ 3:00-4:30 PM EST   We will contact you with details on how to access the webinar. …

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Chuck Leavell Performs “Down the Road a Piece” at Q104.3 Studios

Chuck Performs “Down the Road a Piece” at the studios of classic rock station Q104.3. “Down the Road a Piece” was written by Don Raye in 1940. This song has been covered by a myriad of musicians and bands; Chuck Berry, Manfred Mann, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Rolling Stones, Foghat and Bruce Springsteen to name a few. The original lyrics of the song refer to musicians from the Will Bradley trio. In the subsequent cover versions, musicians’ names were usually changed to refer to members of the cover bands. In Chuck’s version he uses the lyrics from one of his life long idols, Jerry Lee Lewis. In the rock and roll history books, Chuck will be credited for being the artist who brought piano improvisation to rock and roll. In this live recording, Chuck throws us a curve ball by improvising …

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This week’s piano lesson is “Joy Boogie” by Chuck Leavell.

Well it’s that time of year again and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with an arrangement from the master himself, Chuck Leavell. “Joy Boogie” is a joyful and explosive boogie-woogie version of the traditional Christmas classic, “Joy to the World”. "Joy Boogie" Piano Lesson There are few people who can match Chuck’s musical chops but we’ve done our best to turn this joyous piano celebration into a lesson that can be enjoyed by everyone; beginners through our most advanced piano students. "Joy Boogie" is packed with many of Chuck's signature techniques. It’s got a killer walking eighth-note boogie-woogie bass line (influenced by Ian Stewart), moving through a scale diatonically while harmonizing each chord tone with the I chord and each passing tone with the IV or V, …

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