Enraptured elegance
An African American woman playing the harp in a jazz context – Alice Coltrane, who played stunningly beautiful, spiritual jazz in the 1970s, immediately springs to mind. Brandee Younger’s music is influenced by the classic soul-jazz of this period, but also has its feet firmly in the here and now with its R’n’B, hip-hop and funk influences.
In keeping with her musically diverse approach, Brandee Younger, who was born in Hempstead, New York, in 1982, has always worked with jazz musicians such as Ravi Coltrane and Makaya McCraven, and hip-hop artists such as Common and Drake. She now comes to the Elbphilharmonie with her trio – featuring bassist Rashaan Carter and drummer Allan Mednard – to present her latest album »Brand New Life«. In it, the harpist pays tribute to Dorothy Ashby, who gained fame in the 1960s as a pioneer of the jazz harp with albums such as »Afro-Harping«, blending hard bop and cool jazz. Brandee Younger’s music is not only about virtuosic technique and a crystal-clear sound – it is above all a shimmering, enraptured elegance.
Performers
Brandee Younger Trio
Brandee Younger harp
Rashaan Carter bass
Allan Mednard drums
Series
Jazz at the Elbphilharmonie
Spotlight
Jazz Harp