4/19: Gizmo f. Casey Benjamin at Blue Note Jazz Club
On Friday, April 19th, bassist, composer and singer, Gizmo hits at the Blue Note Jazz Club featuring Grammy Winner, Casey Benjamin (Robert Glasper Experiment) with a 6-piece band performing new material and tracks off his debut record, Red Balloon.
Robert Glasper Takes on the Music of Stevie Wonder
On harmonica, for a brief, yet memorable moment was Gregoire Maret. What I did not know was that you can really play the harmonica. We’re not talking about the technical element of the instrument (which he does brilliantly, I might add). We’re talking about what Little Richard did on the keys, what Chuck Berry did on the guitar. We’re talking about the difference between someone who was “singing” and someone who was “sangin,’” as they might say in the black church. With every other note, Maret dipped and swayed as his bended knees supported a man unbridled. To watch this seemingly mild-mannered individual take off his metaphorical cool was perhaps the most amusingly captivating moment of the night. It was showmanship at its finest and most unexpected.
Giveaway: Win Tickets to Robert Glasper’s: Songs in the Key of Life at Harlem Stage
Robert Glasper will be bringing together an all-star cast featuring the Robert Glasper Experiment (Derrick Hodge, Mark Colenburg and Casey Benjamin), Lalah Hathaway, Eric Roberson, Stokley (from Mint Condition), Questlove and others to produce a two-night tribute to the music of Stevie Wonder. The performances will include new arrangements of Stevie’s music and the premiere of new Harlem Stage commissioned compositions by Glasper, inspired by Stevie Wonder.
12/7: CHURCH w/ Mark de Clive-Lowe, DJ Questlove, Casey Benjamin for our 1 Year Anniversary
Revive Music Presents: Mark de Clive-Lowe , DJ Questlove (The Roots) + Casey Benjamin (Robert Glasper Experiment) & Special Guests For Monthly Series, CHURCH. Residency Celebrates its One Year Anniversary at DROM on December 7th.
Robert Glasper: Black Radio and Beyond
It has been a great year for Robert Glasper. His highly-anticipated album, Black Radio dropped in February and found an audience that was hungry for a sound that had a heavy dose of jazz, soul, and hip-hop. Recently I caught up with Robert and got to talk and laugh about what life has been like since ‘Black Radio’ has taken on a life of its own.
Gizmo’s Red Balloon Drops Today!
We are incredibly excited to announce the release of Kenneth “Gizmo” Rodgers’ debut album on Revive Music entitled Red Balloon. The album features Gizmo along with an incredible group of specials guests including Derrick Hodge, Casey Benjamin, Nick Hakim, Jamire Williams, Anna Wise, Raydar Ellis, and more. The album is also produced by Derrick Hodge.
Funk It Audio: The Robert Glasper Experiment ft. MF Doom
The audiophiles over at Funk It have dropped a gem in the version of a live recording from the iTunes Festival 2012 featuring the Robert Glasper Experiment joined by MF Doom for renditions of Doom classics “Figaro” and “Rhinestone Cowboy.”
10/2: Gizmo Red Balloon Album Release Party f. Casey Benjamin + Guests
Gizmo is set to unveil his debut sonic masterpiece Red Balloon, produced by bassist Derrick Hodge (Robert Glasper Experiment, Kanye West, Common) with glints of spoken word and soul, Red Balloon is a wondrous 13-track odyssey through the multi-faceted human experience. NYC record release will be held at DROM on Oct. 2nd f. saxophonist, Casey Benjamin, DJ Raydar Ellis, Nick Hakim and Joy Daniels.
Gizmo ft. Casey Benjamin at the Breeding Ground NYC
With a fall release scheduled for Kenneth “Gizmo” Rodgers’ debut album entitled Red Balloon, the media from the recording sessions keeps pouring in and building excitement. It seems two Experiment musicians played a big part in mentoring Gizmo with Derrick Hodge producing the record and Casey Benjamin doing his thing on a couple of the tunes.
The Robert Glasper Experiment x Jimmy Fallon
Check out the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Show from last night as the Robert Glasper Experiment performs its cover of Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” off of their highly acclaimed new album Black Radio which features a slew of amazing special guests (Lalah Hathaway, Erykah Badu, Yasiin Bey, Lupe Fiasco, KING, Bilal, Meshell Ndegeocell, Ledisi, and more) as well as a number of both original compositions and covers.
Secret Show: The Robert Glasper Experiment in Brooklyn 6/22
The Robert Glasper Experiment are playing a last-minute secret show in Brooklyn. It looks like bassist, songwriter, and overall amazing artist Alan Hampton will be opening for them. Cop your tickets now!
Photo Essay: Robert Glasper Experiment by HUMAN Photography
He’s modern jazz. He’s innovative. He’s the future… I feel as though Robert has that baton – the baton that 20 years ago Bill Laswell and Herbie Hancock had in their hands runnin’ with it and all that came after it. His jazz chops are so on the ball they can start doing real progressive things! They can take those J Dilla chords and apply them to 7/8 meter. Especially when The Experiment is performing… they’re really doing some aggressive rhythmic stuff together. They’re really applying a lot of polyrhythms that really haven’t been executed before in hip hop or jazz. -Questlove on Robert Glasper
The Robert Glasper Experiment Black Radio
Jazz purists may be taken aback, but Glasper’s vision of melding the worlds of hip-hop, soul, and jazz is a thoughtful take on an idea that has been explored ad nauseum. Black Radio is Glasper’s vision of what the airwaves could sound like – a mixtape of sorts – that may not reignite a new movement to overtake popular radio as we know it today, but it’s a concept that should be applauded for a group of artists who believe in chops over charts.
Day One of Jazz’s New Year Zero: Robert Glasper Experiment Live at the Highline Ballroom
Jazz in 2012 is at a major breaking point. An artistic insurrection against the restrictive nature of the genre’s traditions is a loudening crescendo. Brooklyn-by-way-of-Houston pianist Robert Glasper is a commander in this revolt, however, he’s embraced one of those very traditions, serving, ironically as the cornerstone of both jazz’s dissolution and ultimate preservation: the super group. Miles had his second quintet, Herbie had the Head Hunters, and Chick had Return to Forever. Tuesday, February 28, 2012, saw the official arrival of the next great super group, the Robert Glasper Experiment (RCDC). The attendees of their performance at New York’s Highline Ballroom that evening bore witness to the band’s live unveiling of Black Radio, their star-studded debut LP, released earlier that day.
Robert Glasper Experiment f. Bilal & Lupe Fiasco on David Letterman
What an amazing time for music! Glasper has been a household name within the jazz community for almost 10 years now and the music has always been deserving of more and to be known by the masses. Glasper figured out a way to bring jazz to commercial audiences and this is only the beginning. Check out The Robert Glasper Experiment performing on David Letterman featuring guests Bilal and Lupe Fiasco. Musicians include Derrick Hodge (Bass), Casey Benjamin (Vocoder/ Vocals) and Mark Colenburg (Drums).
Black Radio Live at the Highline Ballroom
This week the Highline Ballroom will be host to a two-night only live event featuring the Robert Glasper Experiment with guests from their explosive 2012 release, Black Radio. Tuesday 2/28 will feature the Experiment with special Guests Yasiin Bey, Chrisette Michele, Lalah Hathaway, and Bilal. Wednesday 2/29 will feature special guests Lupe Fiasco, Ledisi, and Meshell Ndegeocello. You never know who will show up to an Experiment show, these two nights are not to be missed!
NPR First Listen: RCDC’s Black Radio
Get excited for NPR’s First Listen of The Robert Glasper Experiment’s Black Radio. We’ve been waiting for a couple months to share this exciting piece of musical history with audiences around the world. From a track-by track analysis done by Glasper himself to frequent news updates, nothing beats the day you get to listen to the album in its entirety. Take 1 hour, 6 minutes, and 7 seconds (three times through if you have enough time) of your holiday Monday to give the album an listen-through.
Kris Bowers Presents Snapback at TPAC
Check out the indelible Kris Bowers performing as part of the Monk in Motion series at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center tomorrow 1/28/12. Between his all-star band (Casey Benjamin, Kenneth Whalum III, Burniss Travis, and Joe Saylor) and a special guest list that encompasses some of his frequent collaborators (Jose James, Taylor McFerrin, MIke Cottone & Jehbreal Muhammad), Bowers continues to represent a major impact on the scene.
RCDC ft. Musiq Soulchild & Chrisette Michelle “Ah Yeah”
The countdown to the release of Black Radio has begun with tracks featuring the Robert Glasper Experiment in collaboration with KING, Erykah Badu, Musiq Soulchild, and Chrisette Michelle having been released thus far. The only reprieve to the fact that we have to wait until February for the full release is the constant stream of not only music, but artwork coming out of the creation process. Check out the latest gem, a lyric video to accompany “Ah Yeah” which features RCDC in collaboration with Musiq Soulchild and Chrisette Michelle. Peep the video and grab a copy of the Robert Glasper Experiment’s Black Radio due out February 28th, 2012.
Robert Glasper Discusses Black Radio
From the manor in which esteemed industry veteran Don Was, the newly minted Chief Creative Officer of Blue Note Records, addressed the crowd of select industry types at New York City’s venerable Electric Lady Studios last week, it was evident that he was about to introduce a truly unique work of sonic art. “To do something new, something that’s never been heard before. That’s real hard to do,” Was remarked. “This is an album that really holds true to that aesthetic. It’s going to change the way people make records.” The album in question is piano virtuoso Robert Glasper’s upcoming fifth album Black Radio due out on Blue Note Records February 28, 2012 .
The Robert Glasper Experiment Announces Black Radio
The Robert Glasper Experiment has announced that they will release their upcoming album entitled Black Radio on February 28, 2012. Thus far what we know about the album is that Glasper and his experimental-music mongers Casey Benjamin, Derrick Hodge, and Chris “Daddy” Dave will be joined by a slew of exciting guest performers including Erykah Badu, Bilal, Lupe Fiasco, Lalah Hathaway, Shafiq Husayn, KING, Ledisi, Chrisette Michele, Mos Def, Musiq Soulchild,Meshell Ndegeocello, and Stokley Williams. Forget what you thought you knew about the Experiment; this album is sure to bring the music to a new level.
TONIGHT! Revive Da Live: Late Night Jam at Minton’s Playhouse
he historic Minton’s Playhouse, arguable the venue that gave birth to bebop, is reopening its doors for a one night only event brought to you by the Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival in conjunction with Revive Music Group. Bringing together legendary, emerging and established musicians to reinvigorate the spirit of jazz tradition that forged Minton’s legacy, the Revive Da Live: Late Night Jam at Minton’s Playhouse led by Greg Osby with special guests will be a historic evening. The Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival is a combined effort by the Apollo Theater, Harlem Stage, and Jazzmobile to reinvigorate Harlem’s jazz tradition by sparking the energy that enlightened the world for much of the early 20th Century.
TONIGHT: The Robert Glasper Experiment
The Robert Glasper Experiment will be in NYC for a one night only performance at Salon Millesime with Special Guests! Millesime is a small venue, making this a must-see event.
Revive Da Live: Late Night Jam Session at Minton’s Playhouse
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