Pushing the envelope. Ahead of the curve. Outside of the box. When it comes to jazz, all of those clichés exist to be said about pianist Robert Glasper, who combines jazz with hip-hop and more, all in a sophisticated, soulful and satisfying way.
Or, to give the platform over to Billboard for a minute:
“Robert Glasper proves why he’s a multitalent to be reckoned with on his brilliant fourth album, Black Radio. While his roots are definitely in jazz, the bandleader knows no boundaries."
So CBC Music's jazz community was very curious to find out what such an inspired musician turns to for his own inspiration. There were some surprises – while something like rapper Busta Rhymes' "Genesis" might be expected, a whisper-soft piece like "Cycling Trivialities" by Swedish-Argentinean folk singer Jose Gonzalez might not.
Without further ado, let’s turn it over to Glasper, who sent us his playlist of music he finds inspiring.
1. "I Love Music," Ahmad Jamal Trio (The Awakening)
2. "Flying," Bilal (Airtight's Revenge)
3. "Angst," Brad Mehldau (Introducing Brad Mehldau)
4. "Genesis," Busta Rhymes (Genesis)
5. "The Root," D'Angelo (Voodoo)
6. "Asante," E.J. Strickland (In This Day)
7. "In Too Deep," Genesis (Invisible Touch)
8. "Barangrill," Joni Mitchell (For the Roses)
9. "Cycling Trivialities," Jose Gonzalez (In Our Nature)
10. "These Three Words," Stevie Wonder (At The Close of a Century)
11. "Scarborough Fair/Canticle," Simon & Garfunkel
12. "Can You Stand the Rain," New Edition (Gold)
And finally, we bring you something from Glasper himself:
13. "Black Radio," featuring Yasiin Bey (Black Radio)
Robert Glasper tour dates include TD Toronto Jazz Festival on June 25, 2012. [Due to sold-out performance, an additional midnight show has been added on the night of Monday, June 25, 2012.)
Related:
William Parker distills the Essence of Ellington
The Change Up - Musicians who changed their style and kept their audiences wanting more
Nicholas Payton on the death of the cool
What's so BadBadNotGood about jazz school?
posted by
Li Robbins
on Jun 11, 2012