The Brandee Younger Trio
Brandee Younger is revolutionizing the role of harp in modern music. Over the past fifteen years, she has worked relentlessly to stretch boundaries and limitations for harpists. In 2022, she made history by becoming the first Black woman to be nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition. That same year, she was also nominated for an NAACP Image Award and later, she became the winner of 2024 NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Jazz Album for her latest album Brand New Life. Also an academic, Younger’s music is imbued with a sense of purpose and respect of legacy, creating a larger platform for the harp to reach broader and more diverse audiences than ever before. Her third album Gadabout Season, arriving June 13, also stands out as Younger recorded the album in her home playing Alice Coltrane’s restored harp. The New York Times highlights her passion for honoring the instrument’s legacy in the modern age: “No harpist thus far has been more capable of combining all of the modern harp traditions –from Salzedo, through Dorothy Ashby, through Alice Coltrane– with such strength, grace and commitment.” The Brandee Younger Trio will perform at the 35th Akbank Jazz Festival on October 11 at Zorlu PSM Turkcell Platinum Stage.
Brandee Younger: Harp
Rashaan Carter: Double bass
Allan Mednard: Drums