Harpist and Jazz Musicians React to Trayvon Martin Case in Musical Tribute

May 15, 2012 - PRLog -- Trayvon Martin: NY Jazz Musicians React in Heartfelt Tribute

It has taken the fatal, senseless shooting of an unarmed 17 year old African American male by the name of Trayvon Martin to reawaken our generation to the fact that racial injustice still exists. From Billie Holiday's “Strange Fruit”, Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”, Curtis Mayfield’s eponymous “Curtis”, Gil Scott Heron’s “Pieces of a Man” to Ice T’s “Cop Killer”, music has a rich history of responding to socially conscious issues that affect the African American community.

Affected by the recent Trayvon Martin case, New York based harpist Brandee Younger composed, “He Has A Name (Awareness)” in memory of the late Trayvon Martin. The classically trained harpist you may have heard on the recordings of Common, Ryan Leslie, jazz saxophonist Ravi Coltrane and even behind the flow of Drake on an early mix tape has responded to the Trayvon Martin case on a rather personal note, commenting in the song's expressive liner notes "For me, having a teenage brother who appears not unlike Trayvon, I can't help but be fearful that he will be judged unfairly, based on stereotypes and appearance. "  Recorded with bandmates Dezron Douglas (bass), E.J. Strickland (drums), Stacy Dillard (tenor sax) and Nicole Camacho (flute), the piece was written to help continue to bring awareness to the issues of racial profiling and injustice today and urges us to open our eyes to reality instead of holding to irrational beliefs due to preconceived notions.

"He Has a Name " (Awareness) is available for download on bandcamp: http://brandee.bandcamp.com/track/he-has-a-name-awareness and all proceeds will be donated to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund to help the organization continue its work for racial justice.

Bandcamp Link for Download: http://brandee.bandcamp.com/
Soundcloud Link: http://soundcloud.com/harpista/he-has-a-name-or-awareness
Official Website: http://brandeeyounger.com/

Contact: B. Alexis Music | Classicalexis@gmail.com

A versatile musician who has been proven to defy genres and labels, Brandee Younger has created a unique niche in both traditional and non-traditional harp arenas. Best-known for her limitless drive, she remains in high demand and attracts the attention of today's most well-known artists, producers and groups.

A classically trained harpist, she has performed with an array of orchestras and chamber ensembles. She has worked and recorded with a number of jazz luminaries including Jack DeJohnette, Ravi Coltrane, Wycliffe Gordon, Charlie Haden, Reggie Workman, Kenny Garrett, Rashied Ali, and Bill Lee.

In hip-hop, she has worked with several artists and producers, including Common, Ryan Leslie, Cassie, Talib Kweli and Drake. She effortlessly performs in many diverse genres, due to her proficiency as an artist and all around musician, not just as an instrumentalist.

A native of Long Island, Ms. Younger grew up in Hempstead and Uniondale, where she began her harp studies as a teen. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Harp Performance and Music Business at The Hartt School of the University of Hartford where she was also mentored by the faculty of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz and African American Studies. She received her Master of Arts in Harp Performance from New York University.