Kazemde George Trio
Friday, July 3rd, 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.
- address given upon rsvp / drinks and snacks will be served -
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.
ELÉ SALIF HOWELL - Percussion
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Elé Salif credits his inspiration and influence from a variety of teachers, including his father, Richard Howell whom he has recorded several albums with as well as Babatunde Lea, E.W. Wainwright, Khalil Shaheed, Larry Van, James Henry, Jack Dorsey, Sly Randolph and Angela Wellman.
At six years old, Elé first met Chief Adjuah (FKA Christian Scott) at Yoshi's in Oakland, Ca, where he sat in with the band. Today, Elé is on tour with Chief Adjuah, with upcoming shows across the world.
The Coltrane name has always been a part of Elé’s musical journey, and that remains relevant today, as he joins Ravi Coltrane’s (son of jazz legend and saxophonist, John Coltrane), band.
As a young drummer, Elé continues to write and compose, creating with inspirations from his immersive cultural experiences, travels and people who he meets along the way.
Ernesto Kindelán Mazar - bass
With the city of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba as his hometown, Ernesto's career came as second nature as he was submerged into the musical world. He began music studies at the age of eight and was always interested in the sound of “that big piece of wood with strings”.
While excelling at the music conservatory level, he was one of two students from his class accepted into the country’s capital at the university level. In 2004, Ernesto moved to Havana, Cuba to attend the prestigious University Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA), where he graduated with a degree in Classical Double Bass and Performance and Teaching. Ernesto taught music theory and ensemble at the Escuela Nacional de Arte (ENA).
In 2006, Ernesto became the bass player of the Grammy nominated and internationally popular salsa and timba group David Calzado y su Charanga Habanera. For over eight years, he traveled the world performing and recording on numerous albums. In August 2014, Ernesto moved with his wife to San Francisco, CA.