DJ Soul Sister continues her latest mission to bring great modern jazz to New Orleans by teaming with Bowery Presents and the Civic Theater for this rare appearance by the Grammy-award winning pianist and composer.
Glasper is part of the newest generation of genre-busting jazz musicians. He grew up with hip-hop as part of the mainstream and smoothly integrates those influences with older styles including R&B and soul.
His two most recent recordings, Black Radio and Black Radio 2, have been hailed for their pop accessibility as well as their musicality.
Black Radio won the Grammy for Best R&B album. Black Radio 2 was released at the end of October.
I saw Glasper with his touring band, Casey Benjamin (saxophone/ vocoder), Derrick Hodge (bass), and Mark Colenburg (drums), at the Chicago Jazz Fest over Labor Day weekend. In that setting the music was closer to a straight ahead jazz show reflecting the pianist’s work with such prominent jazz players as Christian McBride, Nicholas Payton, Terence Blanchard, and Roy Hargrove.
Regardless, if the performance at the Civic veers more towards R&B radio or classic jazz, it will be a chance for New Orleans audiences to hear one of the leading lights of 21st century music in a stately setting.
Photo: Janette Beckman
