Jazz/Neo-Soul icon Robert Glasper will play a series of shows this week accompanied only by bass and drums, in the intimate subterranean surroundings of the Village Vanguard. Glasper could easily be cited as one of the most influential artists both in R&B and in Jazz over the last several years, and his fusion of the two genres is both unparalleled and unheralded.
Glasper began playing music from a young age in Texas, where he learnt to play piano at church. He moved to New York City to attend the jazz program at The New School, where he met and played with many important figures of the jazz and neo-soul scene, Bilal and Q-Tip among them. Since then he has gone on to release the critically acclaimed “Black Radio” albums, and tour as sideman and musical director for such impressive names as Kanye West, Erykah Badu, Meshell Ndeogeocello and Talib Kweli. Glasper’s piano playing is at times gospel, at times jazz, and at times R&B, but it is always heartfelt, challenging and fun.
Tickets for this show are selling out quickly, but there are still some left online for different days throughout the week, as well as an allotment that are held at the door for early arrivers. This is a chance to see an icon of 21st century jazz and soul up close and personal, and, if you go, don’t be surprised if you rub shoulders with one of Glasper’s many famous peers at the claustrophobic but beautiful underground mecca that is the Village Vanguard.
Robert Glasper Trio @ Village Vanguard 2/24-3/1
Tickets $30
Sets at 8:30 and 10:30
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