'Jazz By Way of London' Web-Series -Part 2 Featuring: Robert Glasper

Robert Glasper has attracted huge acclaim for successfully finding the common ground between jazz and hip-hop music, hence simultaneously excite jazz enthusiasts and hip-hop heads in one track! We caught up with the Houston-born jazz pianist Robert Glasper, during the London Jazz Festival 2011, and I must say Robert is one of the coolest cats in the game and simply hilarious. Known as the ‘Man of the moment in acoustic trio heaven’ by Jazzwise, Glasper has taken cues from jazz musicians, Thelonius Monk and Miles Davis and he’s been equally inspired by one of dopest hip-hop music producers J Dilla. He spoke to us about his musical influences, his family and how J Dilla has influenced his musical playing style.

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Glasper runs two bands: the acoustic Robert Glasper Trio and, for more overly hip-hop-influenced work, the electric supergroup ‘Robert Glasper Experiment’. The Experiment concert at XOYO on November 16^th 2011, gave us spontaneous hip-hop compositions, experiments and melodic fragments, leaving a powerful indelible impression on the audience that just had everyone head-bobbing. Having gone in on an incredible cover of Radiohead’s ‘Everything in its Right Place’ in the past, we were treated to a soulfully amazing cover of Little Dragon’s ‘Twice’.

The Experiment’s meltdown of linear jazz and hip-hop rhythms worked in the same way a DJ would cut and loop a sample or beat, the chemistry between Glasper and the dope drummer Chris Dave was simply explosive, it is clear that Glasper is a hip-hop alchemist.

Glasper has a knack for always leaving his audiences wanting more. Over the past couple of years, he has sold out every concert date in London from four conservative night’s at Ronnie Scott’s to his masterclasses during the London Jazz Festivals, giving us something new every time. Robert Glasper shows in 2012 are set to SELL OUT within minutes with his forthcoming album ‘Black Radio’ to be released on 28^th February 2012. This will be the first full-length album from the Experiment project (we knew 2012 was gonna be a great year for music). Glasper’s fourth album features his Experiment band - saxophonist/vocoderist Casey Benjamin, bassist Derrick Hodge, and drummer Chris Dave with an array of big neo-soul and hip-hop artists from Ms.Erykah Badu to Lupe Fiasco. Here’s a little taster of what Robert Glasper Experiment’s does best….. Just vibe!

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Follow Robert Glasper on Twitter: @robertglasper

And check on Glasper's website for the latest information: www.robertglasper.com

Words/Interview: Jummy Bankè

Video Credits: Gabrielle Smith