Robert Glasper – Double-Booked

Robert Glasper is a jazz pianist. from Houston, Texas, US. He attended the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City. In 2004 he released his debut, Mood, on Fresh Sound New Talent. He followed up his debut album with Canvas, (2005), In My Element, (2007), and Double-Booked, (2009), on Blue Note Records. He has also collaborated with many hip hop, jazz and soul musicians, including Kanye West, Terence Blanchard, Erykah Badu, Mos Def, Q-Tip and Bilal. In addition to his jazz trio, The Robert Glasper Trio, he also has another line up, The Robert Glasper Experiment, in which he explores fusions of jazz and hip hop.

In Robert Glasper the best of hip-hop, jazz and soul is united. He seems clearly influenced by jazz icons like Herbie Hancock, Thelonious Monk and Keith Jarrett. On his latest album, Double-Booked, he plays six songs with The Robert Glasper Trio and six songs with The Robert Glasper Experiment.

Allthrough The Robert Glasper Trio section of Double-Booked, Thelonius Monk’s spirit is present. It seems only natural to compare this part of the album with Esbjörn Svensson Trio’s early albums, since both trios are so clearly influenced by Thelonius Monk. It begins with with a telephone message from Terence Blanchard. Yes I'm Country (And That's OK), Downtime and 59 South are all elegantly performed. This sections only cover is, of course, a Thelonius Monk song; Think of One.

The Robert Glasper Experiment section of the album he keeps exploring the boundaries in the fusion of (fusion)jazz and hip hop. I usually have strong anti-feelings when musicians involve a vocoder, but here it actually works. The Herbie Hancock song Butterfly stands out as this sides strongest composition.

You can listen to Butterfly on his website as well as Downtime and 59 South with the jazz trio.

I also recommend the WNYC radio show Soundcheck hosted by John Schaefer where The Robert Glasper Trio performed live on August 28, 2009.

Robert Glasper - Double Booked

YouTube - Robert Glasper - Butterfly

WNYC - Soundcheck: Robert Glasper (August 28, 2009)

The Robert Glasper Trio is: Robert Glasper – Piano, Vicente Archer – Bass, Chris Dave – Drums.

The Robert Glasper Experiment is: Robert Glasper – Piano, Casey Benjamin – Saxophone & Vocorder, Derrick Hodge – Bass, Chris Dave – Drums.

Discography

Albums

Mood, Fresh Sound New Talent, 2004.

Canvas, Blue Note Records, 2005.

In My Element, Blue Note Records, 2007.

Double-Booked, Blue Note Records, 2009.