Here are five things to know about Robert Glasper, a renowned jazz pianist with a hip hop flair who will perform at the Oscars with drummer Travis Barker and singer Sheila E.
In addition to performances of Oscar-nominated songs, the 2022 Oscars will have another musical treat highlighting the telecast: an all-star band with a pianist Robert Glasper with the headline-grabbing drummer Travis Barkerlegendary singer Sheila E.and musical director Adam Blackstone. You may know Travis from Blink-182 fame and Sheila E. is best known for her work with Princebut we’re here to break down five things about one Robert, a hugely talented musician ready to add his dash of spice to the show.
He is a jazz pianist, songwriter and musical arranger
Born April 6, 1978 in Houston, Texas, Robert was influenced by his mother, Kim Yvette Glasper who was a professional jazz and blues singer. In addition to accompanying his mother to many club shows, he was also raised in church and performs there often. After attending the High School for the Performing Arts in Houston, his playing career really took off while studying at the New School in New York. Robert began touring with major jazz artists in the field and also became involved in the growing neo soul movement, associating with artists like Jill Scott and Rootsfinally teaming up with Yasin Bey (Previously Def. Mos) to become its musical director.
His music combines jazz, hip hop, neo-soul, etc.
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Robert’s music is many things! In addition to his formal training and early experiences working with jazz artists, Robert is also heavily influenced by hip hop, neo-soul, rock n’ roll, gospel and R&B. His albums and work center around his solo work and his two bands: The Robert Glasper Trio and The Robert Glasper Experiment.
Robert noted how the renowned trumpeter Miles Davis influenced and inspired his music, formulating his style in his career. “I’m obviously influenced by Miles Davis – even just the psyche of how he thinks about music… how he moves and always wanted to reflect the era he’s in,” Robert told The New York. Times in 2016. “That’s what I do now. He opened that door.
He signed with Blue Note Records
In 2005, Robert made his debut on Blue Note Records, Clothwhich included nine original compositions and a cover of Herbie Hancock‘s “Riot”. Blue Note, owned by Universal Music Group and operated by Capitol Music Group, was founded by Alfred Lion and Max Margoulis in 1939 and became one of the most influential and prolific jazz labels of the 20th century. With artists like Monk Thelonieux, John Coltraneand Dexter Gordon having recorded for the label, Robert is definitely in good company!
He’s a Grammys heavy hitter
It’s no surprise that an institution like the Academy should be interested in an artist like Robert, given his many notable accomplishments. The pianist has been nominated for five Grammys and won four from 2010-2021, including Best Urban/Alternative Performance, Best R&B Album, Best R&B Performance, Best Traditional R&B Performance, Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, Best Progressive R&B Album and Best R&B Song categories.
He has worked with many top artists
The number of remarkable and singular artists with whom Robert has worked is quite incredible. In addition to his involvement in the neo-soul/hip hop movement of the late 90s/early 2000s, Robert continued to collaborate with a large number of other artists, including, but not limited to, The Lupe Fiasco, Erykah Badu, Bilal, quest love, solange, Common, norah jonesand more, all of whom appeared as guest vocalists on his black radio (2012) and black radio 2 (2013). In 2015, he collaborated with Lauryn Hill to Nina revisited… A tribute to Nina Simone before the documentary on nina simone, What happened, Miss Simone?
More work with the film came in 2016 when Robert worked as a producer, composer and arranger for the Don Cheadle-lead Miles Davis biopic miles ahead. He also published Everything is beautiful which served as a tribute to the famous jazz musician via remixes and interpretations of his original works. The album saw Robert work again with Erykah Badu as well as Stevie Wonderamong others.
Robert was also featured prominently on Kendrick LamarThe 2016 Grammy-winning album Pimp a butterfly and formed the supergroups August Greene with Common, and Karreim Rigginsas well as Dinner with Kamasi Washington, 9th Wonderand Martin Terrace.
In February 2022, Robert released the third installment of his black radio series, Black Radio IIIwhich featured artists like Jennifer Hudson, HIS, mike the killerand more.
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Robert Glasper: 5 things about a pianist at the 2022 Oscars with Travis Barker – Up News Info News in France and abroad