by Shawn Nowlin and S. Rotan Hale
Google the name Robert Glasper and a few clicks will reveal pictures of him in the studio with countless notable musicians, several videos with hundreds of thousands of views and universal praise from reputable publications ranging from The Richm2ond Times Dispatch to Essence Magazine.
Robert grew up in Houston, TX and has often cited Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Kenny Garrett and Christian McBride as some of his early influences. He attended Houston High School and New School University (NYC) where he would continue to hone his musical talents.
Glasper and his band brothers Vincente Archer (bass) and Damion Reid (drums) put on an entertaining performance in front of about 450 who gathered March 4 at the Jefferson Center’s Shaftman Performance Hall. Glasper met with music students of the Jeff Center Music Lab to answer questions and give advice before the show later that evening.
Soulful one minute, then comedic the next, the trio held nothing back blending soul, jazz and great punch lines for nearly two hours in ways that many entertainers rarely touch.
When he jokingly accused attendees of lying about hearing his recent album they burst out in laughter. When band mates engaged in their solo segments they were met with standing ovations.
“I had high expectations tonight and they did not disappoint me,” said Antonia Smith. “I’ve been a fan for many years but tonight was my first time seeing them live…hopefully they will come back to Roanoke.”
There is no question that Glasper is comfortable being a music chameleon whose talents have spanned generational lines collaborating with the likes of Meshell Ndegeocello, Snoop Dogg, Musiq Soulchild and his current work with Kendrick Lamar.
“Jazz musicians are becoming comfortable with music that speaks to them personally,” stated Glasper in one interview. “I think it’s very important that musicians feed off the fruit of the music that actually is the soundtrack of their lives.”
One can say that Glasper was born with the music gene. His mother Kim Yvette Glasper was a blues singer and played the piano in church. By the age of 12, Robert was playing the piano essentially following in his moms footsteps.
As a touring musician before becoming a musical director for acts like Maxwell and Q-Tip, Glasper cultivated many relationships within the music industry with his personality and passion for the craft.
Over a 13-year period, Glasper has released seven studio albums that feature dozens of high profile guest artists, boosting his status and positioning him among some of the best in the business.
Perhaps the project Glasper is best known for is Black Radio LP (2013), which won a Grammy for Best R&B Album. The 12 track LP features the likes of Erykah Badu, Chrisette Michele, Lupe Fiasco, Ledisi and others.
The show was an unconventional collage of Glaspers renditions of various pop favorites old and new. Among them was “Hotline Bling” and “Tell Me A Bedtime Story” performed in ways that both Drizzy Drake and Herbie Hancock would be proud.
“The only way to keep something relevant is to renew it from history and let it grow and change. When that happens, you start to get stuff like Black Radio 2,” Glasper said in his mumbling undertone style.
“Black music is the house that has many rooms. Black people have invented so many dope genres that everyone loves: jazz, blues, gospel, rock, hip hop and the list goes on.”
In fifteen years the Texas native has gone from a local commodity to a worldwide sensation praised for his writing, producing and singing abilities.
Glasper and his trio have one golden rule it requires of listeners: “enjoy the art,” and judging by the standing ovation he received at Friday’s show, the audience did just that.
