Kazemde George: Conversations in rhythm
Thursday, August 27th, 7pm • The Red Door, Emeryville
A rising star in modern improvised music, Kazemde George creates unique musical landscapes by blending different traditions from within the African diaspora, from Bebop to Rumba, Bossa Nova, Hip Hop, and more.
With his Harvard neurobiology background and New England Conservatory jazz mastery, George’s innovative compositions and profound musicianship have established him as one of today’s most exciting and intellectually compelling artists.
Kazemde will be joined by a group of Bay Area's finest musicians to perform a program of original works.
Kazemde George - Saxophone
Kazemde George is an Jazz saxophonist, composer, and educator based in Oakland, California. Raised in Berkeley by Caribbean parents, Kaz attended college in Boston where he completed the Harvard/New England Conservatory (NEC) Joint program, receiving his Bachelors in Neurobiology (Harvard) and his Masters in Jazz Composition (NEC).
He received Harvard’s George Peabody Gardener Fellowship to study traditional music in La Habana, Cuba for ten months. Through his travels, Kaz has expanded his focus from Hip-Hop and Jazz to include the full spectrum of musical styles which blossomed from the African Diaspora, including Afro-Cuban, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Brazilian, and African-American traditions.
As he sees it, the study of these musical styles serves as a way to regain cultural histories that were lost through the processes of African-American Slavery.
After graduating, Kazemde moved to Brooklyn, NY, where he lived for over a decade, establishing himself as a prominent player in the New York City improvised music scene, and an experienced educator. In October 2021, Kazemde released his debut album, I Insist, on Greenleaf Music by Dave Douglas. His sophomore release, Ocean Passage, is now available on La Reserve Records.
Colin Hogan - Piano
Colin Hogan was born in San Francisco, CA. He was a member of the world-renowned Berkeley High School Jazz Ensemble while also studying with the Jazzschool’s founder, Susan Muscarella. He then attended Cal State East Bay (Hayward) where he earned a BA in piano performance.
Colin has performed on five continents and has performed with many legendary musicians including Larry Graham, Stanley Clarke, David Garibaldi, Lenny Pickett, Roy Ayers, James Moody, Ledisi, Too $hort, Peter Erskine, DJ Qbert, Kurt Elling, and Maria Schneider. Colin is currently involved in many projects including The Jazz Mafia, Mads Tolling and the Mads Men, The Alaya Project, Oakadelic, and The Hogan Brothers with brothers Steve and Julian. He currently lives in Oakland, CA.
Miles Turk - Drums
Miles Turk is a talented Bay Area drummer and band leader who grew up in San Francisco's jazz community, studying at Oakland School for the Arts and SFJAZZ. He performs as the drummer in the funk band The Flannels and has built a career performing at major Bay Area venues including Yoshi's Oakland and Freight & Salvage Berkeley.
Alan Jones - Bass
Alan Jones is a 21 year-old Bassist and Composer from Denver, Colorado dedicated to honoring the legacy of Black American Music through performance and composition. He has shared the stage with greats such as Matt Wilson, David Sanchez, Ed Simon, Christopher Clarke, Carmen Bradford, Chad Lefkowitz-Brown, Kristen Strom, and Keith Oxman. He currently studies with Matt Brewer and Scott Pingel at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.