Rocco John Iacovone Workshops and Residency information sheet
There are two ways we do residencies:
Model 1:
A performance-based model where Rocco and his musicians perform and discuss musical ideas. This model can be for one workshop, or multiple workshops as a continuing series “pulling the curtain back” where we talk in depth about the music we are playing and do Q&A each session. Often Rocco uses his original compositions to discuss how a composer writes, and what inspired the pieces. His anecdotes are always interesting, and he is a great storyteller! Each session concludes with a Q&A session where the participants can delve further into the stories and ideas that they heard. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. One two-hour concert/conversation/Q&A, or multiple meetings as desired.
A Sample schedule we have used:
One and done: self contained workshop.
Once a week for a month, or 3 times in a week.
In all cases, each session will be new music
Model 2:
A community based, interactive workshop for musicians of all ages and levels. Rocco will bring music, and run a “band camp”, culminating in a final concert. In this model, he will teach/conduct the piece, and give tips and instruction to musicians as needed during each workshop. Rocco will play with the group. All participants must know how to play their instrument already and be dedicated to doing the work! Minimum age is 14.
Reading music is helpful, but if the person can learn by ear, that’s fine. Each participant will have to go home and practice the new music to be concert ready.
This multi day model is intergenerational, and builds community. Participants will learn new music, have the opportunity to play with other musicians in a band setting, learn about Jazz and improvisation from a working Jazz composer. Most of these residencies have a working skill level; people who used to play, people who play alone, people who play but want to learn about Jazz. BUT, we certainly have worked with experienced high-level players. With enough sign up time, if we find we have a group with a more advanced skill level, they will learn some original compositions and explore their own improvisatory language with the composer.
A sample schedule we have used:
Normally a 5 day total, but longer is better!
Minimum of 3 work session days, 2 hours each session to learn new music.
One dress rehearsal to work out and problems with “the show”
One culminating concert of between 45-60 minutes depending upon the overall skill level. Longer show if the group is more skilled and learned more music
In both cases, Rocco will talk about Jazz, improvisation, how a band runs, and add anecdotal stories that relate to the music.
Funding usually comes from grants or organizational budgets, supplemented by participant fees or ticket sales. Cost will depend on content, length of residency and personnel.
WE WILL WORK WITH YOU AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO GET THIS DONE.
Contact: rocco@roccojohnmusic.com or on Whatsapp at: 917 312 9487 Rocco John Iacovone
Rocco has been a passionate teaching artist for many years. He is known for running successful, interactive residencies, Jazz workshops, masterclasses, Q&A and community bands. He's run a multi-week residency in Talkeetna, Alaska with a culminating concert since 2007, creating the TJO (Talkeetna Jazz Orchestra), which is still in
existence today.
Experienced, professional musicians and teaching artists, Rocco and his long standing bandmates have run numerous long and short term musical residencies. Offering interesting, informative and interactive sessions, they work in NYC, across the country and in Europe, partnering with community based organizations since 2000.
Some of their specialties are: Master classes, "Meet the Composer", "Behind the scenes Q & A", Improvisation and Jazz history work shops. He has also offered Jazz improvisation workshops to high school band students through a special after school program. Many of these were funded through Arts grants and in-kind donations.
In 2017, Rocco was invited as a working American Jazz composer to talk about New York City's "downtown Jazz Scene", contemporary Jazz and Improvistional techniques. To do so, he presented a week long Composers Workshop in Messina Italy, and the orchestra performed in their theater. Rocco was invited to perform his original music with his quintet at the Filarmonica Laudamo in Messina, Sicily in 2024. In 2025 was commissioned to compose a piece celebrating Caravaggio. He returned to Messina and conducted his original the piece at the Museo Regionale Interdisciplinare di Messina, in addition to playing with the Creative Orchestra of the Filarmonica for the rest of the festival.
Rocco especially likes to bring people together through music, welcoming all musicians to gather together, learn new tunes, interact through Jazz, and create new bonds. His wife, Denise Iacovone paints the music during each performance, and often runs Art workshops delving into her practice of improvisational painting and and experimental drawing.
Their work can be done as a Masterclass, with Rocco talking about a topic interspersed with music that demonstrates or supports the discussion, or with local community musicians following Rocco as the band leader as they work on musical style and Jazz improvisation, and transforming into a Jazz band.
Get an idea of what we have done:
Workshop samples:
Composer, musician,
teaching-artist
Iacovone
Some of our music:
Rocco and Denise will be taking their Jazz/Art residency to London March 20-26, 2027! Email us if you'd like to participate. rocco@roccojohnmusic.com
Rocco John