Robert Glasper

Robert Glasper

Robert Glasper is a pianist and composer from Houston, United States, born in 1978. He works in contemporary jazz, hip hop, instrumental jazz, jazz, neo soul and post-bop, and his name is associated with several ensembles and collaborations including the Robert Glasper Experiment, The Robert Glasper Trio, Blue Note All-Stars, Dinner Party, R+R=NOW and August Greene.

Early life and musical background

Glasper is raised in Houston, Texas, where his mother is his first major musical influence. She plays piano, sings gospel in the family church and leads a band on the city’s jazz and blues club circuit. He begins playing piano in church at the age of twelve, and his early musical experience in gospel shapes his approach to emotion, spirituality and audience connection. By adolescence, he knows he wants to become a jazz musician.

Education and early career

He attends Houston’s High School for the Performing Arts and then studies at New School University in Manhattan. After arriving in New York, he connects with future bandmate Reid and with vocalist Bilal, an old schoolmate. While still an undergraduate, he performs with Christian McBride, Russell Malone and Kenny Garrett. After leaving university, he works with Nicholas Payton, Roy Hargrove, Terence Blanchard, Carmen Lundy and Carly Simon.

Hip hop and recording career

Glasper’s work with Bilal brings him back into hip hop and leads to attention from Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest, who asks him to play keys on tour. He also performs with Mos Def and appears prominently on Bilal’s second album. His first album, Mood, is released in 2003 on Fresh Sound New Talent. Two years later, Blue Note signs him, placing him within a label history associated with a long line of jazz pianists including Albert Ammons, Meade Lux Lewis, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Andrew Hill, Cecil Taylor, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Jacky Terrasson, Jason Moran and Bill Charlap.