5 Facts About Pianist Robert Glasper, Who Will Perform With Travis Barker At The 2022 Academy Awards
Here are five things to know about Robert Glasper, a renowned jazz pianist with hip-hop flair slated to perform at the Oscars with drummer Travis Barker and singer Sheila E.
In addition to performances of Oscar-nominated songs, the 2022 Academy Awards will include an all-star ensemble led by pianist Robert Glasper, who will be joined by headline-making drummer Travis Barker, famous lead singer Sheila E., and musical director Adam Blackstone.
We’re here to break down five things about Robert, a supremely talented musician set to add his bit of spice to the show.
You may know Travis from Blink-182, and Sheila E. from her work with Prince, but we’re here to break down five things about Robert, a supremely talented musician set to add his bit of spice to the show.
He’s A Jazz Pianist, Songwriter, And Musical Arranger
Robert Glasper (Steven Eloiseau/Shutterstock).
Robert Glasper was born on April 6, 1978, in Houston, Texas. His mother, Kim Yvette Glasper, was a prominent jazz and blues singer. He was raised in the church and performed there frequently, in addition to traveling to countless club concerts with his mother.
His acting career truly took off while he was studying at the New School in New York City after graduating from Houston’s High School for the Performing Arts.
Robert began traveling with some of the best jazz musicians in the industry, as well as becoming involved in the neo soul movement, collaborating with artists such as Jill Scott and The Roots, eventually joining Yasiin Bey (previously Mos Def) as his musical director.
His Music Combines Jazz, Hip Hop, Neo-Soul, And More
Robert’s music encompasses a wide range of genres. Robert is greatly influenced by hip hop, neo-soul, rock n’ roll, gospel, and R&B, in addition to his formal schooling and early professional experiences with jazz performers. His solo work as well as his two bands, The Robert Glasper Trio and The Robert Glasper Experiment, are the focus of his recordings and work.
Robert has spoken about how Miles Davis, the legendary trumpet player, affected and inspired his music while forming his style.
In 2016, Robert told The New York Periods, “I’m certainly influenced by Miles Davis – even just the mindset of how he thinks about music…how he flows through, and always wanted to represent the times he’s in.” “That’s exactly what I’m doing right now.” That door was opened by him.”
He’s Signed With Blue Note Records
Robert Glasper (Omar Acosta Productions/Kobal/Shutterstock).
Robert’s debut album, Canvas, was released in 2005 on Blue Note Records and includes nine original songs as well as a version of Herbie Hancock’s “Riot.”
Blue Note was created by Alfred Lion and Max Margulis in 1939 and became one of the most influential and prolific jazz labels of the twentieth century.
It is now owned by Universal Music Group and run by Capitol Music Group. Robert is in good company, with performers like Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, and Dexter Gordon having recorded for the label.
He’s A Big-Hitter At The Grammys
Robert Glasper (Albert Piazza/Shutterstock).
Given Robert’s multiple remarkable accomplishments, it’s no wonder that an organization like the Academy is interested in him.
In the categories of Best Urban/Alternative Performance, Best R&B Album, Best R&B Performance, Best Traditional R&B Performance, Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media, Best Progressive R&B Album, and Best R&B Song, the pianist has been nominated for five Grammys and has won four between 2010 and 21.
He’s Worked With Numerous High Profile Artists
Robert Glasper performing (Albert Piazza/Shutterstock).
Robert has collaborated with a staggering number of well-known and unique musicians. In addition to his involvement in the late ’90s/early ’00s neo-soul/hip hop movement, Robert went on to collaborate with a slew of other artists, including Lupe Fiasco, Erykah Badu, Bilal, Questlove, Solange, Common, Norah Jones, and others, who all appeared as guest vocalists on his Black Radio (2012) and Black Radio 2 albums (2013).
He teamed with Lauryn Hill on Nina Revisited in 2015… A Tribute to Nina Simone in Advance of the Nina Simone Documentary, What Happened, Miss Simone?
In 2016, Robert worked as a producer, composer, and arranger for the Miles Davis biopic Miles Ahead, which starred Don Cheadle. Everything is Beautiful was also released as a tribute to the legendary jazz artist, with remixes and interpretations of his original pieces. Robert collaborated on the record alongside Erykah Badu and Stevie Wonder, among others.
Robert also created supergroups August Greene with Common and Karreim Riggins, as well as Dinner Party with Kamasi Washington, 9th Wonder, and Terrace Martin, and was featured significantly on Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy-winning 2016 album To Pimp a Butterfly.
Robert released Black Radio III, the third chapter of his Black Radio series, in February 2022, including Jennifer Hudson, H.E.R., Killer Mike, and others.
