Groove – Episode #67: Jorge Roeder

Around this time of the year, I would be neck-deep into the International Jazz Festival of Montreal. This week alone would have had me attending gigs by Christian McBride, Al Di Meola, and Marcus Miller (plus others). The virus had other plans.

One of the more delightful outcomes of this pandemic has been the many artists who have opened up their homes and started performing live and online. One of them has been Jorge Roeder. Originally from Lima, Peru, Jorge has become known as one of the most versatile and expressive bass players in jazz today. He melds classical with the styles of folk, and the aggression of rock with the rhythms of his Afro-Peruvian roots.

In short: his playing is a pleasure for the senses. Jorge has had a long-standing partnership with guitarist Julian Lage, Argentinian vocalist Sofia Rei, as a key member of Israeli pianist Shai Maestro’s trio, and trombonist Ryan Keberle’s ensemble Catharsis. He studied cello, he played in rock bars and spent time studying jazz at Boston’s esteemed New England Conservatory. Now living in Brooklyn, New York, Jorge is a Grammy-winning musician who most recently released a brilliant new solo album titled, El Suelo Mio.

Enjoy the conversation…