Mon Nov 6
The Muneer Nasser Quintet
7PM / $25 | $7 Fees Get Tickets
Muneer Nasser
The Muneer Nasser Quintet plays Memphis blues inflected jazz with a dash of New York fire and DC flavor. Their latest release " A Soldier's Story" celebrate's America's National Treasure: Jazz. The Quintet includes Muneer Nasser-Trumpet; Allyn Johnson-Piano; Elijah Easton-saxophone; James King Jr-bass; and John Lamkin III-drums.
The Son of a Jazz Icon - Born on June 3, 1967, to the late, great bassist Jamil Nasser, Muneer 's exposure to the jazz idiom was early and powerful. In 1976, "My dad took me to see Dizzy Gillespie at the Village Gate and Dizzy blew the place apart. I had to get a trumpet and weeks later I did." In 1979, he went to the International Art of Jazz Workshop for college students. Dave Burns, a trumpeter in Gillespie's Big Band, had reservations about his age. Muneer's talent, however, overshadowed this concern. "Mr. Burns acceptance fortified my confidence, and I began studying with him." Muneer also received private instruction from George Coleman, Jimmy Owens, Oliver Beener, and Webster Young. These workshops and lessons taught him the basics of jazz improvisation, which were tested at serious jam sessions conducted by Eddie Henderson, Ted Curson, Tommy Turrentine, Barry Harris, C Sharpe, and Gil Coggins. "If you couldn't play, they would bench you with quickness and give you a homework assignment." As a youngster, Muneer saw many masters in concert such as George Coleman, Randy Weston, Lou Donaldson, Woody Shaw, Roy Eldridge, and Phineas Newborn.
In addition to teaching jazz improvisation at the University of Maryland, Nasser's passion and knowledge for jazz history was evident in educational forums he held at the University of the District of Columbia and Howard University. Muneer has written and recorded over 200 reggae, jazz, rock, EDM, Rap, and R & B compositions. Some appear on Soundcloud and YouTube. In 2015, he won an award for the best soundtrack at the D.C. 48-hour Film Festival.
Muneer developed a lifelong commitment to the study of jazz. Consequently, he read over one hundred books, magazines, and conducted informal interviews with jazz masters whose answers stimulated his quest to document jazz history. “My father shared many compelling stories about his career.” Unfiltered by the political imperatives and agendas of the traditional publishing industry, Upright Bass: The Musical Life and Legacy of Jamil Nasser unveils previously undisclosed yet important jazz history and the music "A Soldier's Story,"
7PM / $25 | $7 Fees Get Tickets
1. Final sale, no refunds, not transferable.
2. $15 food/beverage minimum per person not included in ticket price.
3. Seating first come at the door. Doors open 6 PM & 8:45 PM respectively.
4. Photography or Recording of any kind is prohibited during the performance.
5. Keep conversation to a minimum during the performance.