finetune artist: Robert Glasper

b. 1978, Texas, USA. Raised in Houston, Texas, Glasper took an early interest in music and began playing piano under the approving eye of his mother who played piano for the local church. She also led a small band that played jazz and blues. By the age of 12, Glasper had begun playing piano in that same church and developed not only his playing skills but also a thorough understanding of the emotional roots of gospel, blues and jazz. His piano playing developed during his school years, a school friend was future R&B singer Bilal, and he later attended Houston's High School for the Performing Arts. There, he met drummer Damon Reid with whom he built a mutually beneficial musical association. After graduation, Glasper went to New York where he studied at New School University in Manhattan. During his time there, he had occasional opportunities to play with musicians such as Kenny Garrett, Russell Malone and Christian McBride. Remaining in the city, Glasper later found work in various settings, playing engagements and sometimes recording with bands led by trumpeters Terence Blanchard, Roy Hargrove, Nicholas Payton and Jeremy Pelt and with singers Carmen Lundy and Carly Simon. He played and recorded with bass player Robert Hurst's trio, a group of which Reid was also a member, and with guitarist Mark Whitfield.

Listen to Robert Glasper at Finetune.

(2005) Canvas

Rise And Shine
Canvas
Enoch's Meditation
Jelly's Da Beener
Chant