T. K. Blue
Encyclopedia
T.K. Blue is an American jazz
saxophonist
from New York City
. His parents were Jamaica
n and Trinidadian
, and he has used their Afro-Caribbean musical styles in his own work. He has worked with, among others, Don Cherry
and the South African pianist Dollar Brand.
T.K. Blue began his life in music from his Lakeview, Long Island
, hometown by playing trumpet from ages 8 to 10, and then switching to drums for a year. After a hiatus, at the age of 17 he dedicated himself to music by learning flute. While attending New York University
between 1971 and 1975 with a double major in Music and Psychology, Blue threw himself headlong into music, concentrating on the saxophone. He took lessons (as part of the Jazzmobile
program) with Jimmy Heath
, Frank Foster
and Ernie Wilkins
, as well as from tenor legend Billy Mitchell
. During these undergraduate years, T.K. lived in the East Village, partaking in the full range of the scene, from lessons with elders to deep involvement in the avant-garde. In 1979 Blue received his Masters in Music Education from Columbia University
.
After performing and traveling extensively with Abdullah Ibrahim
(Dollar Brand) from 1977 to 1980, T.K. moved to Paris
in December 1981, remaining until 1989. In 1986 he recorded "Egyptian Oasis", his first record as a leader, and that sparked a number of State Department tours to some 20 countries in Africa. Back in the USA since 1990, T.K. has worked constantly, in a wide range of styles and situations, and recorded his second CD, "Introducing Talib Kibwe", released on Evidence in 1996. Augmenting his long-term relationships as Musical Director with pianist Randy Weston
and with the Spirit of Life Ensemble, recent affiliations include: Odadaa, a group led by a drummer from Ghana, Yacub Addy; percussionist Norman Hedman's pan-African band Tropique; tap dancer Joseph's Tap and Rap, to jazz tunes by Charlie Parker
and John Coltrane
; and emerging singer Jeffrey Smith.
All-Stars
With Sam Rivers
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
saxophonist
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. His parents were Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
n and Trinidadian
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
, and he has used their Afro-Caribbean musical styles in his own work. He has worked with, among others, Don Cherry
Don Cherry (jazz)
Donald Eugene Cherry was an innovative African-American jazz cornetist whose career began with a long association with saxophonist Ornette Coleman. He went on to live in many parts of the world and work with a wide variety of musicians.-Biography:Cherry was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and...
and the South African pianist Dollar Brand.
T.K. Blue began his life in music from his Lakeview, Long Island
Lakeview, New York
Lakeview is a census-designated place in Nassau County, New York, United States. The population was 5,615 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Lakeview is located at , west of Hempstead Lake State Park....
, hometown by playing trumpet from ages 8 to 10, and then switching to drums for a year. After a hiatus, at the age of 17 he dedicated himself to music by learning flute. While attending New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
between 1971 and 1975 with a double major in Music and Psychology, Blue threw himself headlong into music, concentrating on the saxophone. He took lessons (as part of the Jazzmobile
Jazzmobile
Jazzmobile, Inc. is based in New York, and was founded in 1964 by Daphne Arnstein, an arts patron and founder of the Harlem Cultural Council and Dr. William "Billy" Taylor. It is a multifaceted, outreach organization committed to bringing "America's Classical Music"—Jazz—to the largest possible...
program) with Jimmy Heath
Jimmy Heath
James Edward Heath , nicknamed Little Bird, is an American jazz saxophonist, composer and arranger. He is the brother of bassist Percy Heath and drummer Albert Heath.-Biography:...
, Frank Foster
Frank Foster (musician)
Frank Foster was an American tenor and soprano saxophonist, flautist, arranger, and composer. Foster collaborated frequently with Count Basie and worked as a bandleader from the early 1950s.-Biography:...
and Ernie Wilkins
Ernie Wilkins
Ernest Brooks Wilkins Jr. was a jazz arranger and writer who also played tenor saxophone. He might be best known for his work with Count Basie. He also wrote for Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, and Dizzy Gillespie...
, as well as from tenor legend Billy Mitchell
Billy Mitchell (jazz musician)
Billy Mitchell was an American jazz tenor saxophonist known for his close association with fellow Detroiter Thad Jones and work with a variety of big bands including Woody Herman when he replaced Gene Ammons in his band...
. During these undergraduate years, T.K. lived in the East Village, partaking in the full range of the scene, from lessons with elders to deep involvement in the avant-garde. In 1979 Blue received his Masters in Music Education from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
.
After performing and traveling extensively with Abdullah Ibrahim
Abdullah Ibrahim
Abdullah Ibrahim , born Adolph Johannes Brand, 9 October 1934 in Cape Town, South Africa, and formerly known as Dollar Brand, is a South African pianist and composer...
(Dollar Brand) from 1977 to 1980, T.K. moved to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in December 1981, remaining until 1989. In 1986 he recorded "Egyptian Oasis", his first record as a leader, and that sparked a number of State Department tours to some 20 countries in Africa. Back in the USA since 1990, T.K. has worked constantly, in a wide range of styles and situations, and recorded his second CD, "Introducing Talib Kibwe", released on Evidence in 1996. Augmenting his long-term relationships as Musical Director with pianist Randy Weston
Randy Weston
Randy Weston , is an American jazz pianist and composer, of Jamaican parentage.-Biography:Weston studied classical piano as a child. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he ran a restaurant that was frequented by many of the leading bebop musicians...
and with the Spirit of Life Ensemble, recent affiliations include: Odadaa, a group led by a drummer from Ghana, Yacub Addy; percussionist Norman Hedman's pan-African band Tropique; tap dancer Joseph's Tap and Rap, to jazz tunes by Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker
Charles Parker, Jr. , famously called Bird or Yardbird, was an American jazz saxophonist and composer....
and John Coltrane
John Coltrane
John William Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes in jazz and later was at the forefront of free jazz...
; and emerging singer Jeffrey Smith.
As leader
- 1986 Egyption Oasis (Anais)
- 1993 Taja (Rise Up)
- 1996 Introducing Talib Kibwe (Evidence)
- 1999 Another Blue (Arkadia JazzArkadia JazzArkadia Jazz is an American jazz record label.Postcards Records is a division of Arkadia Jazz "focusing on electro-acoustic recordings by boundry-challengers".Brazilian jazz ensemble Nova Bossa Nova released their one album for the label....
) - 2001 Eyes of the Elders with Randy BreckerRandy BreckerRandal "Randy" Brecker is an American trumpeter and flugelhornist. He is a highly sought after performer in the genres of jazz, rock, and R&B, and has performed or recorded with Stanley Turrentine, Billy Cobham, Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed, Sandip Burman, Charles Mingus, Blood, Sweat & Tears,...
, Joanne BrackeenJoanne BrackeenJoanne Brackeen is an American jazz pianist and music educator.-Biography:She was born Joanne Grogan in Ventura, California. She attended the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music, but devoted herself to jazz by imitating Frankie Carle albums...
, Lonnie PlaxicoLonnie PlaxicoLonnie Plaxico is an African American jazz bassist.Plaxico was born in Chicago, Illinois into a musical family, and started playing the bass at the age of twelve, turning professional at fourteen...
and Jeff "Tain" Watts (Arkadia Jazz) - 2003 Rhythm in Blue (Jaja Records)
- 2008 Follow the North Star (Jaja Records)
- 2011 "Latin Bird" (Motéma MusicMotéma MusicMotéma Music is an American record label focused on jazz and world music, as well as other creative projects by virtuosic musicians who also compose. It was founded by Jana Herzen in 2003, and is now based in Harlem, New York City...
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As sideman
With Arkadia JazzArkadia Jazz
Arkadia Jazz is an American jazz record label.Postcards Records is a division of Arkadia Jazz "focusing on electro-acoustic recordings by boundry-challengers".Brazilian jazz ensemble Nova Bossa Nova released their one album for the label....
All-Stars
- Thank You, Duke!
With Sam Rivers
Sam Rivers
Samuel Carthorne Rivers , is an American jazz musician and composer. He performs on soprano and tenor saxophones, bass clarinet, flute, harmonica and piano....
- ColoursColours (Sam Rivers album)Colours is an album by American jazz saxophonist Sam Rivers featuring Winds of Manhattan, an 11 piece woodwind orchestra, recorded in 1982 for the Italian Black Saint label.-Reception:...
(Black Saint, 1982)