When I went to NYC last month, I had the pleasure of catching the Real Live Show..it was an amazing display of hip-hop over live instruments. The sound was so rich and decadent, hands down the highlight of my trip.
From the same people who bring you the Real Live Show comes Revive da Live. Consider this the pièce de résistance for any true music lover…a marriage of hip-hop and live jazz music. I am so tempted to hop my happy ass on a plane and then a red eye just see this show myself.
Revive Da Live announces its highly anticipated upcoming concert, Thursday November 6, 2008 at 11 p.m. at New York hot spot, Le Poisson Rouge (158 Bleecker Street, New York, NY). The concert, which is the first of a series to continue through Spring 2009, will feature emcees and producers Jeru the Damaja and Large Professor bassist Esperanza Spalding, keyboardist Shedrick Mitchell, alto saxophonist Jaleel Shaw, soprano/tenor saxophonist Marcus Strickland and drummer Chris “Daddy” Dave. Other featured musicians include Igmar Thomas (trumpet), Corey King (trombone) and special guest Aaron Parks (piano). The concert is hosted by Peter Rosenberg of Hot 97 and sponsored by okayplayer.com. Tickets are $15 in advanced/$20 day of show. To purchase tickets and for more information: RSVP to events@revivedalive.com
Known for its creative productions, this Revive Da Live event will feature a deejay set by Large Professor and then followed by a drummer/deejay battle set between Large Professor and Chris “Daddy” Dave. The last set will feature the all-star jazz band backing Jeru the Damaja. For further information on the show, check out www.revivedalive.com
ARTIST BIOS:
Large Professor- Known for first exposing emcee Nas on his classic cypher cut “Live at the Barbecue,” Large Professor has also produced for the likes of A Tribe Called Quest, Common and Slick Rick. He represents one of the first and finest triple threat (produce, rap, deejay) artists in hip-hop. Large Professor has also utilized extensive jazz samples in his production catalogue over the last 20 years.
Jeru the Damaja- First came on the scene in the early 1990s as a member of the Gangstarr Foundation, which also featured emcee G.U.R.U and DJ Premier, the founders of Gangstarr. Jeru released his debut album The Sun Rises in the East in 1994 entirely produced by DJ Premier. This classic album spurned the hits “Come Clean” and effectively established Jeru as one of marquee emcees of the boom bap era (1991-1996).
Esperanza Spalding: Since leaving the Berklee College of Music in Boston, bassist Esperanza Spalding has become one of the most talked about names in jazz and one of the music’s fastest rising young stars. She’s one of the youngest instructors on the Berklee College of Music faculty and she just released her second album Esperanza in 2008. In addition she has recently been on the road with tenor giant Joe Lovano. She is set to record a new album towards the beginning of 2009 with producer/artist Brian “Raydar” Ellis.
Chris “Daddy” Dave: Drummer Chris Dave has played with a who’s who in the music industry. Having started out at a young age playing gospel music, Dave has elevated his playing to a level that few drummers in the industry can touch. His technical prowess has been called upon by the likes of many well-known and established artists. In addition to performing with jazz pianist Robert Glasper, Dave acts as drummer for singer Erykah Badu and rapper/actor Mos Def’s big band. He served as musical director for Def’s June 2008 performance at Carnegie Hall.
Marcus Strickland: Tenor & soprano saxophonist Marcus Strickland is one of the most in demand horn players around these days. He is a current member of drummer Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts’ Ebonix group and recently ended a 5-year stint with drummer Roy Haynes. In addition he has performed as a member of emcee/actor Mos Def’s big band.. He has released several albums as a leader on his own Strick Muzik imprint and was featured as one of the seven up-and-coming artists to watch according to JazzTimes Magazine.
Daru Jones: Michigan born drummer/producer Daru Jones currently serves as the drummer for hip-hop group Slum Village. Jones also runs his own label and production company called Rusic music, which focuses on underground hip-hop and R&B.
Jaleel Shaw: Alto saxophonist Jaleel Shaw is currently a full time member of drummer Roy Haynes’ group. In addition he as performed and/or recorded with drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts, trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, bassist Christian McBride, and the Charles Mingus Big Band. Shaw also leads his own group the Jaleel Shaw Quintet and can be seen at venues such as the Village Vanguard in New York City.
Shedrick Mitchell: Keyboardist Shedrick Mitchell has performed with rapper/impresario Jay-Z. He has also performed with many different artists including saxophonist Antonio Hart, rapper Queen Latifah, and saxophonist Kenny Garrett.
Aaron Parks: After being discovered during his five-year tenure with trumpeter Terrence Blanchard, Parks signed to Blue Note Records and has recently released his debut album, Invisible Cinema. He, alongside Spalding and Strickland, is also one of the current seven up-and-coming artists to watch according to JazzTimes Magazine.
Igmar Thomas: Berklee College of Music graduate who leads his own hip-hop/jazz experimental group Igmar Thomas and the Cypher. He also performs with trumpeter Roy Hargrove’s big band.
Cory King: Trombonist currently attending the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. He has performed with ex-Fugees singer Lauryn Hill, rapper Ludacris, and Mos Def.
BACKGROUND ON REVIVE DA LIVE:
Formed in 2006, Revive Da Live Productions has produced over 20 ground-breaking events in the past two years. The company has achieved many firsts in its’ short career including the pairing of legendary hip-hop artist AG from Showbiz and AG with a live jazz band as well as spotlighting the talents of Robert Glasper and Chris “Daddy” Dave with artists such as Bilal & Mos Def. Other past events have featured collaborations by Grammy Award Winning Jazz Trumpeter Roy Hargrove with Gangstarr founder G.U.R.U. In addition to producing live music productions, Revive Da Live will be organizing festivals and compilation recordings with many of the artists the company has worked with over the last three years. These events represent Revive Da Live’s commitment of highlighting and producing entertainment that represents the vast array of possibilities and combinations among musicians and artists from different genres.
“Revive Da Live is dedicated to exposing jazz music through hip-hop in assurance of creating a larger awareness and appreciation for both jazz music, live hip-hop and all of the musicians that create it”
