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On first listen, Canvas, the major label debut from 27-year-old pianist Robert Glasper sounds decidedly mainstream. However, Glasper comes informed by the broad range of influences that a jazz musician of his generation inevitably does, with deep jazz roots and the sometimes subconscious influence of having grown up also listening to hip hop, R&B and alternative rock.
The second time around, the true nature of the music begins to reveal itself, not as much aurally as sensually. The bass is warmer, fatter, and more sanguine; the drums throb, and the piano dances freestyling swing moods. “I mean, obviously it’s jazz, but I try to bring it all. I have to go into it because I feel it,” says Glasper. “I express myself through my music. You can hear who I am through my music.”
When summarizing Canvas two words come to mind: immediacy and serendipity. On the former descriptive, Glasper explains, “A week before the recording, we did the Regatta Bar in Boston, then we did a weekend at Small’s in New York two days before. So we got the music in us; we just walked in the studio and hit. Everything was one or two takes.”
And serendipity? “I don’t like overly arranged themes,” says the pianist, “because there’s no room to actually play. I get sick of my own music if I know how it’s going to end, how I’m going to play it. So when I give music to the band, I don’t dictate it so much, so I can be surprised too. Every time we play one of my tunes, I want to walk away from that and go ‘Whew!’”
The second time around, the true nature of the music begins to reveal itself, not as much aurally as sensually. The bass is warmer, fatter, and more sanguine; the drums throb, and the piano dances freestyling swing moods. “I mean, obviously it’s jazz, but I try to bring it all. I have to go into it because I feel it,” says Glasper. “I express myself through my music. You can hear who I am through my music.”
When summarizing Canvas two words come to mind: immediacy and serendipity. On the former descriptive, Glasper explains, “A week before the recording, we did the Regatta Bar in Boston, then we did a weekend at Small’s in New York two days before. So we got the music in us; we just walked in the studio and hit. Everything was one or two takes.”
And serendipity? “I don’t like overly arranged themes,” says the pianist, “because there’s no room to actually play. I get sick of my own music if I know how it’s going to end, how I’m going to play it. So when I give music to the band, I don’t dictate it so much, so I can be surprised too. Every time we play one of my tunes, I want to walk away from that and go ‘Whew!’”
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In My Element
Robert Glasper
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Canvas
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Double Booked
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Mood
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Shoutbox
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Funkeman wrote:
New album is genius!
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FULL-Focus wrote:
BEST OF 2012!!! Gonna Be ALright w/ Ledisi is AMAZING!!!
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wiz0_0 wrote:
Black Radio is amazing.
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Thefischersam wrote:
Black Radio SLAPS SO HARD, one of the best albums I have heard in a loooong time, definitely one of my favorites now. Already pre-ordered the vinyl as well. I love this band so much
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lawlypopz wrote:
His version of Maiden Voyage is so haunting. Love it.
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palesa08 wrote:
Didn't know Glasper until Cape Town Jazz Festival 2010. I was blown away and bought all his albums immediately after the event. This is music.
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2riskyyy wrote:
saw Robert Glasper Experiment at Java Jazz 2010. Brilliant! Hope too see you again in Indonesia!
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ch1llyw1lly wrote:
seen today them second time. first one was with trio and now experiment. mind blowing, amazing, genius, you can call what ever you like and it will be true...one of the best of today's jazz scene. that's for sure
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satoriongaku wrote:
Just saw him at the Vancouver Jazz Fest. One of the best jazz shows of my life. Jazz-Hip-hop fusion extraordinaire!
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Benjin7 wrote:
Glasper is legendary, and i wish i could play set drums like Chris Dave too.. talented as hell
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hargoblin wrote:
come back to moscow, please!
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rootsouljazz wrote:
great
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kusechka wrote:
Very talented musician !
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TomNook20 wrote:
Come back and do a performance in Htown
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zeeohemgee wrote:
Sick performance at UR. You guys were effing awesome
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rompemonster wrote:
awesome performance at the Java Jazz Festival -even got a photo with him backstage ;)
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Unique-R wrote:
he shook up jazz
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brownswood wrote:
JAZZ CAFÉ @ http://www.last.fm/group/Jazz+Cafe
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gangstayoda wrote:
another NPR article on Robert Glasper. this time with full audio of an hour long concert!!! http://www.npr.org/2010/12/09/131722844/robert-glasper-trio-live-at-the-village-vanguard
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isoceles wrote:
I just caught the trio (Rober Glasper, Vicente Archer, and Jamire Williams) at Village Vanguard - NYC on Sunday. It was hands down the best show I've seen in 2010.
Videos
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Feb
28
Robert Glasper
Highline Ballroom, New York, United States
5 going
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- Mar 1 Robert Glasper Experiment featuring Bilal World Cafe Live, Philadelphia PA, United States
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Mar
10
Robert Glasper
Double Door, Chicago IL, United States
1 going
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Recent Activity
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Korinec, dmsmirnov and porkb added Robert Glasper to their libraries. yesterday afternoon
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