Blue Note Signs Glasper

By I Mar. 24, 2005

Blue Note Records has signed pianist Robert Glasper, marking the label’s first new Jazz artist signing in five years, and reaffirming their 66-year tradition of moving the music forward, a notable occurrence in a jazz industry that has otherwise seen the major labels reduce the number of instrumentalists on their jazz rosters, or dissolve those rosters altogether. Glasper will be entering the studio in May to record his major label debut, which will likely be released this Fall.

“I feel that Robert Glasper has an emerging originality as both a pianist and a composer,” says Blue Note’s CEO & President, Bruce Lundvall. “He has his own voice, and is one of most exciting younger musicians I’ve heard in some time.” Glasper adds “I’m honored to become part of the Blue Note family and their rich musical history.”

Glasper, 26, was raised in Houston. His mother, who played piano and sang Gospel and Blues, imparted her musical influence early on, and Glasper was soon accompanying her on piano in church, as well as in the Jazz and Blues clubs around town. After attending the Houston High School for the Performing Arts, he moved to New York City to study at the New School University. Since moving to New York, Glasper has become an important member of the Jazz, R&B and Hip-hop communities, working with such musicians as Terence Blanchard, Roy Hargrove, Nicholas Payton, Carmen Lundy, Q-Tip, Bilal, Mos Def and Me’shell Ndegeocello.