Kazemde George Quartet
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.
Tickets $35/pp - Address given upon ticket purchase
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.
Giulio Xavier Cetto - Bass
Raised in a musical family, Giulio has played music his entire life and is dedicated to the love of space sound. Known for exploring multiple genres and styles, Giulio’s study of music spans continents and generations. Giulio is influenced by his Venezuelan-Italian heritage, Bay Area rap music, and his jazz and classically-trained family. His well rounded experience, deep listening and openness allow him to adapt to any musical scenario.
Giulio has performed with Grammy award winning artists such as Lawrence Hobgood, Johnathan Hoard, Fantastic Negrito and Thomas Pridgen. He has played music abroad in Russia, Costa Rica, Malaysia, Singapore, Italy, Abu Dhabi, Ireland, Canada, US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico as well as all across the continental United States.
Giulio is most known for his unique personality’s on both electric and acoustic bass and his magnetic energy and love while performing.
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.