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| Onaje Allan Gumbs performs in New York Pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs performs with his trio at St. Nick's Pub on January 12 and January 19 at 10:00 p.m. Harlem-born, Queens-raised, Onaje Allan Gumbs has enjoyed a career as first-call sideman, valued arranger and composer, producer, and most importantly, bandleader and recording artist. Many will remember him for his vital contributions to such Woody Shaw classics as Moontrane and Rosewood, to which he lent his exceptional composing and arranging skills. Still others will recall his work as producer, arranger for vocal dates led by Downing, Rubin, and Marlena Shaw; or perhaps his sideman contributions to dates with an impressive range of artists – from NEA Jazz Master Kenny Burrell and Nat Adderley, to the cutting edge with Ronald Shannon Jackson, to the crossover dreams of Jonathan Butler. Onaje's soundtrack writing includes Danny Glover's Showtime film Override, and his song Dare to Dream was a theme for a Panasonic awards presentation. Onaje has staked out a territory that is equal parts originality, straight ahead jazz, R&B, Brazilian, contemporary jazz, and beyond. As Duke Ellington would say, he is "beyond category." Most recently, Onaje celebrated the completion of his album Remember Their Innocence, a recording that aptly mirrors the extraordinarily broad-based pallet of experiences he has enjoyed and enhanced with his presence. To date, the album has received high praise amongst critics and fans; Jerry D'Souza, from All About Jazz, writes "Onaje Allan Gumbs took his wide experiences as a musician into the studio for his latest recording and came up with a winning combination in Remember Their Innocence." write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |