"As a musician, there is always something new that I
want to share with my audience," admits Najee, the multi-Platinum selling
contemporary jazz pioneer who has made a career of reinventing himself,
sparking trends and never resting on his laurels. "The ability to
collaborate with different musicians and to continually find fresh approaches
to my music is what keeps me inspired."
The multiple Grammy-Award
nominated instrumentalist, composer and quadruple threat who is equally adept
on soprano, tenor and alto saxophones and flute, recently celebrated his 30th
anniversary as a recording artist. Najee, who has collaborated with iconic
figures Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock and George Duke, will
release his seventeenth album as a leader, Poetry In Motion, August 25, 2017.
The anticipated CD is dedicated to two ground-breaking musicians who Najee has
had the distinction of working with - Prince and Al Jarreau. "Both artists
in their own way have changed the culture of music forever," shares the
saxophonist. "Whenever I have worked with people of their caliber of
artistry, I have always walked away with something that helps to shape my
musical conversation." Poetry In Motion finds Najee nothing short of
inspiration, as he calls upon a few all-star friends to create a dialogue well
worth remembering. Najee's fourth recording for Shanachie unites him with such
dynamic musicians as Will Downing, Maysa, Eric Roberson, Bluey of Incognito, Barry
Eastmond, Bobby Lyle, Blake Aaron and Randy Bowland.
Najee is a master storyteller. Whether the debonair
multi-instrumentalist is engaged in a verbal or musical conversation, his
alluring charisma has a way of seducing you into his world. His technical
agility, grace, compositional prowess, unbridled passion and fearless genre
bending have made him one of the most sought after musicians of his
generation. Poetry In Motion is a
riveting sonic journey that finds the saxman doing what he does best -
shape-shifting through diverse musical terrain and fusing the best elements of
all the music that is close to his heart. "As a youngster growing up in
New York City I was exposed to a multi-cultural musical environment,"
reflects the saxophonist. "It was
through these interactions that I was able to benefit from playing with people
who played Latin music, Jazz but mostly R&B. This has become a part of my
musical personality. I must admit at times I struggle to stay focused with one
genre!" Lucky for us Najee does not have to choose and the result on
Poetry In Motion is a beautiful expression of his musical curiosity and
identity.
Poetry In Motion opens with the buoyant and luminescent
"Stratosphere," showcasing Najee's soaring, warm and supple soprano
saxophone. Najee penned the intoxicating and inviting original with Barry
Eastmond who lends his piano and compositional skills to several tracks on the
CD. Eastmond has produced and
collaborated with everyone from Al Jarreau and Anita Baker to Freddie Jackson
and Brandy. "I've known Barry for a very long time and working with him
was one of the greatest joys of recording this album," shares Najee. The irresistible and fun loving "Is It
The Way," features singer Eric Roberson. "Eric is one of the
brightest young R&B vocalists, producer, songwriter and performer in our
industry and it was an absolute pleasure to have him contribute his gift on
this record," shares Najee. Roberson's soulful vocals gel perfectly with
Najee's bluesy soprano and Eastmond's buttery keys.
Poetry In Motion also finds
Najee collaborating with the brilliant producer, multi-instrumentalist and
Incognito mastermind Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick. "Bluey is one of
the greatest people to work with in the studio," shares Najee. "He is
unique in his approach to getting the work done." Indeed Najee, Bluey and
Incognito get the work done on the tour-de-force dance-floor number "Let's
Take It Back." Najee changes the pace with the seductive and Latin-tinged
"Noche Romantica," the perfect platform for the saxophonist to shine
a spotlight on his gorgeous tone and impeccable phrasing. The syncopated intro
with Najee on his flute calls to mind Chick Corea's "Spain," while
his passionate and emotive tenor saxophone at times is reminiscent of the
longing tenor of Gato Barbieri. Najee
enlists the "Prince Of Sophisticated Soul," Will Downing for the
moving "We'll Be Missing You." He shares, "Over the years we
have worked together on several records and have performed around the world. I
could not have made a better choice to write and perform a song that honors Al
Jarreau and Prince."
Downing also came up with the title of the album. The song
"Poetry In Motion," is a memorable number that showcases Najee's
agile flute and Bobby Lyle's funky and groove-heavy piano. "Song For The
Ladies," will no doubt delight Najee's female devotees. The sweet R&B
flavored ditty with a new jack swing is hard to resist. The Grammy-nominated
and dynamic vocalist Maysa adds her sultry and honey-toned alto to "Don't
Make Me Wait" which she co-wrote with Najee. The chemistry that Maysa and
Najee share is undeniable. "Maysa is my sister musically speaking,"
shares Najee. "She is truly one of the best and most versatile vocalists
in the music industry." A highlight on Poetry In Motion is the song
"Running Away." It's air-tight groove, synergistic interplay and
boundless joy make for one of the album's defining moments as Najee is joined
by guitarist Blake Aaron and guitarist Randy Bowland, who penned the tune
originally for Jill Scott. The album comes to the perfect close with the
gorgeous flight of fancy "Duology."
In a business where trends and artists come and go, Najee's
name is synonymous with innovation, consistency and the best in contemporary
jazz. With two Platinum and four Gold albums under his belt, Najee has enjoyed
a career spanning three decades and he is proving that the best is yet to come!
An alum of the New England Conservatory of Music, Najee was mentored by jazz
giants Frank Foster and Jimmy Heath as well as classical maven and flutist
Harold Jones of the New York Philharmonic. Najee has also had the distinction
to perform for Presidents Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela and made appearances
on The Tonight Show and Good Morning America. "I have always tried to
maintain consistency when it comes to music I've recorded throughout the
years," confides Najee. "As an artist I have been fortunate to
attract an audience very early in my career that has followed and grown with
me. My challenge has always been to record music that I enjoy playing while at
the same time meeting the requirements that I believe my audience would like to
hear. I am always looking for something to help me continue to grow as a
musician."
Born in the Greenwich Village section of New York City and
raised in Jamaica, Queens, Najee's musical pursuits began in grade school. "As a kid I was into the R&B and
Jazz music of my time," he shares. "I familiarized myself with
different kinds of music all the time." As I began to develop on my
instrument, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Yusef Lateef and Hubert Laws on
flute were some of the artists that inspired me. As an industrious and hungry
young musician, Najee had the good fortune of coming through Dr. Billy Taylor's
now legendary Jazzmobile program. While a student at the New England
Conservatory (where both Najee and his brother attended) he studied jazz with
George Russell and Jaki Byard. When he
finished school Najee returned to New York in the early 80s and was lucky to
land a gig with Chaka Khan along with his brother and guitarist Fareed (who is
now his manager). In 1987 Najee's Theme was released and the saxophonist earned
a slot on tour with singer Freddie Jackson.
The following year, Day By Day was
released, and in 1991, Tokyo Blue, which is one of Najee's most successful and
enduring recordings. Tokyo Blue (which was producedby Najee's brother Fareed)
and Day By Day both went Gold and led to two Soul Train Awards for Najee (Best
Jazz Artist in 1991 and 1993). Just An Illusion came in 1992 and around this
time he collaborated with such iconic figures as Quincy Jones and a
collaboration with jazz greats Stanley Clarke, Billy Cobham and Larry Carlton
resulted in the album Live At The Greek. Share My World came in 1994 and was
followed in 1995 by a critically acclaimed tribute to Stevie Wonder's 1976
classic, Songs In The Key Of Life. The
CD was produced by George Duke and featured Herbie Hancock and Sheila E. among
others. His CD Morning Tenderness, released in 1998, went to #1 on the
contemporary jazz charts.
For Najee, the late '90s were marked by extraordinary
international experiences, from performing at Nelson Mandela's birthday
celebration in South Africa to playing as a special guest of President Clinton
at the White House at an event honoring President Jerry Rawlings of the
Republic of Ghana. Najee also spent two years of touring (2001-2003) with
Prince and appears on Prince's albums Rainbow Children and One Night Alone. In
2003 Najee released Embrace, featuring special guests Roy Ayers and BeBe
Winans. My Point Of View was his follow up in 2005 featuring his good friend
and vocalist Will Downing. 2007's Rising Sun joined Najee with Phil Perry and
Mind Over Matter from 2009 paired Najee with singer Eric Benét. The Smooth Side Of Soul followed in 2012,
successfully covering such diverse terrain as Jimmy Heath and Ne-Yo and the
follow-up, The Morning After, arrived in 2013 debuting at #1 on the Billboard
charts and exploring the many sides of love.
You, Me & Forever was released in 2015 and united Najee with the likes
of James Lloyd and Frank McComb among others.
Najee concludes, "As an artist and a musician I am
always striving to evolve and grow. Most of all I try to maintain a unique
identity in the music industry." With the release of Poetry In Motion,
Najee confirms that he is still the King Of Contemporary Jazz and that his
evolution is not done yet!
No comments:
Post a Comment