Veteran flutist and arranger David Crawford — whose credits include Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Mary J. Blige, and Bill Withers — marks Black History Month with a newly remixed version of his single “African Nouveau,” officially arriving February 6.
Since releasing “African Nouveau” last fall, Crawford listened closely to feedback from colleagues, promoters, and fans — and the message was clear: listeners wanted his flute front and center.
“On the original version, I shared the leads with the gifted trumpeter Nolan Shaheed, a longtime friend and collaborator. Nolan played with Marvin Gaye, Miles Davis, and Earth, Wind & Fire, and I wanted his sound to offer another perspective in a conversation. The feedback I received was that people wanted to hear more flute. Nolan plays beautifully on the new version, but my flute takes the primary lead voice now,” Crawford explained.
Inspired by the continent he calls his “ancestral beginnings,” Crawford created “African Nouveau,” a vibrant, rhythm-forward piece filled with traditional African melodies and rhythms, layered with distinctly American sounds of modern jazz and R&B.
“African Nouveau” is the first release from Crawford’s forthcoming debut album, Something Borrowed, Something New. He plans to roll out several singles ahead of the album’s release.
A native of Compton, California, now based in Las Vegas, Crawford earned a master’s degree in music at the California Institute of the Arts. He’s a composer, producer, and arranger, producing Vesta Williams’ Billboard R&B top ten single “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” and several tracks for R&B group Woods Empire. He has performed with Stevie Wonder and Isaac Hayes, and recorded with Ahmad Jamal and The Temptations. A seasoned orchestral performer, Crawford has appeared with the Afro-American Chamber Music Society Orchestra, Santa Monica Symphony, and Burbank Philharmonic.
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