Music Avery Dey: A Private Rendezvous with Najee

Two-time Grammy nominated and award winning Jazz Saxophonist/Flautist Najee is ushering in the 2015 summer concert season like a smooth operator.  With a highly anticipated upcoming performance in the UK, a new CD release, and tour, Najee’s schedule is, simply put, heating up.  I had the opportunity to catch up with him and we discussed further his current endeavors.

AD:  Najee, how are you sir?

Najee:  Great, Great!  How’s everything going with you?

AD:  Oh everything is outstanding!  It’s a beautiful day, and I’m receiving the chance to speak with you again. So everything just absolutely wonderful, thank you. 

Najee:  That’s good, that’s good.

AD:  Hey, I’ve been checking you out on FB; and I see you’ve been doing your thing over there in the UK.

Najee:  Yes, yes. Things are working out really nice over there you know?

AD:  Ahh I did receive the news about your upcoming performance there.  Please, please do share the exciting news.

Najee:  Well, it’s going to be Gary Taylor and me performing at a new venue over there.  I haven’t been there in a few years and Gary has never performed in the UK, even though his career started over there.   We are really excited about that, and so far the response has been pretty good.  It’s going to be a great evening!

AD:  Nice!!!  Where is it going to be and the date?

Najee:  The date is Friday, May 22^nd and it’s going to be held at a place called Under The Bridge.  It’s a new venue and I’ve heard that they spent over 2 million pounds to put this venue together and it’s probably one of the best venues in London.  We’re pretty excited about that.  I don’t believe any jazz acts have performed there – mostly rock-and-roll acts.  So it should be a lot of fun!

AD:  Wow!! So both you and Gary can have the opportunity to “Christen” the venue with jazz.

Najee:  Exactly, Exactly.  I guess we’ll be the first.

AD:  Love it!  So, I hear that you have a new project in the works.  Please, do tell.

Najee:  Yes, it’s called “You, Me and Forever”.  

AD:  Niiiice!!! What should we expect from this release? Do you have any duets with anyone?

Najee:  I have.  I’ve actually incorporated my lead guitarist, Chuck Johnson, guest appearance by Frank McComb, new singer from Kirk Franklin and The Family [camp], Andrea Wallace, Robert Damper – great pianist who’s been with Kenny G for 30 plus years.  Some really great stars I’m working with on this project.  I chose not work with REAL [big] superstars and my reason is this, sometimes they receive attention and often times they don’t.  So in my position, I’m able to introduce or bring to the forefront ones who are in the game that are really and sincerely good at what they do. 

AD:  Exactly.  Yes, there are a number of “Divas and Div-o’s” out here. Therefore it’s only right that you provide such an enormous opportunity such as this to performers whose exquisite talent is only heard behind the scenes.

AD:  How many tracks are on the CD?

Najee:  So far, 11 and I look forward to be finished this week…hopefully.  That’s my goal.

AD:  Oh, okay.  When will the public have access to this gem?

Najee:  Between June and August I’ll say.

AD:  Oh cool.  So will you be performing any new tracks at the upcoming Capital Jazz Festival?

Najee:  I’m hoping so.  Maybe 2 or 3 tracks –

AD:  Oh that is so awesome.  I am so excited – you just have no idea!!  Both my husband I are so excited to see you!!

Najee:  Same here!  I truly appreciate the love you’ve shown!  I believe it’s going to be a great show at the Capital Jazz Fest.  It’s going to be live!!! 

AD:  So this is your 16^th release, and just like with all of your projects, they are all your babies.  Would you consider this or some of you past releases as the “This is it, or this the one!!?”

Najee:  You know I cannot process projects that way.  If I am into the moment, then I’m doing that [thing] at the moment, you know?  So for me, it’s not really about which project is “it or that”.  Each project was created/released during different events or different times that had occurred in my life.   There were various collaborations through periods of my life.   When I go back and listen to my first album, [I mean] it’s not a perfect album to me as an artist or musician, but it [makes an] impact.  Its impact is undeniable especially with the first 4 albums you know?  The mark they’ve made and the success we’ve had with those records, I mean how can I argue with that?   I might cringe when I hear a little alto note and it should’ve been soprano on the radio or something, but obviously its something honest about it that the listeners love (as we both chuckle). 

I used to worry about that but when you listen to other artist’s earlier releases like: Grover [Washington], [David] Sanborn, or anyone, everyone had the same struggles, because back then the tuning system was different.  So I don’t feel so bad about that; however as an artist, I think “well I could’ve done this, or that better.”  But people love the honesty so when they show up at the concerts, those are the songs they want to hear.  

AD:  Awesome!  When you perform live, is there a certain song that you just have to perform due to both yours and the audience’s love for it and/or is there a track that you’re not so crazy about yet the audience really looks forward to hearing it?

Najee:  You know I don’t ever look at it that way and the reason is – it’s a blessing to be able to do what I do; and people want to hear what I’ve done.  I always have songs that aren’t personally tracks I would choose to play; but when they bring it to me, you know it’s like “Wow,” that particular song has an impact on the person I’m particularly talking to right now.  For me, I’m just grateful that people can call out songs by name, you know. 

AD:  I hear you.  So are you going to be on tour to support your new project?

Najee:  Yes, we’re going to be quite busy! 

AD:  I know you will be.  Lastly what shall we expect to see and hear from Najee, on his upcoming tour, new project etc.?

Najee:  You know just some exciting stuff.  We are going overseas and Capital Jazz is one of the big festivals we’re doing along with the Chene Park Fest in Detroit, we’re doing the Low Country Jazz Fest over the summer, also the Steel City Jazz Fest in Alabama – so we have a lot of big festivals this year.  We want to be able to hopefully connect with everyone everywhere we’re going as well as introduce the new CD that will be released.  It’s going to be a pretty exciting time.

AD:  Well, I’m excited for you and it has been a blessing again to speak with you!  We look forward to spending time with you when you’re here in the DMV area.

Najee:  Alright, I look forward to it as well. 

AD:  Thank you so very much again.  Take care and be blessed.

Najee:  You too and I look forward to seeing you soon.