Kazemde George

Saxophonist and composer Kazemde George brings his chord-less trio to Black Cat to celebrate the release of his new album Ocean Passage. Known for creating unique musical landscapes that blend traditions from across the African diaspora — from bebop to rumba, bossa nova to hip hop — George has established himself as a rising star in modern improvised music.

George's approach centers on what DownBeat calls "music as not simply technical proficiency, but as a spiritual plane." His compositions feature streamlined melodies and explorations of African diaspora musical traditions, delivered with what The New York Times describes as remarkable clarity where "melody is never sacrificed to flair or crossfire, even as the momentum builds."

Live, George's trio creates what one reviewer called "impressively mellow" performances that build in "unity, strength, and power" as the evening progresses. His warm tenor tone draws comparisons to cool jazz masters like Miles Davis and Chet Baker, but with more eclectic international influences. The Millbrook Independent noted how his Cuban rumba interpretations transformed "earthy and primitive" rhythms into abstract soundscapes with "light notes roaming high in the air."

Joining George are bassist Giulio Xavier Cetto and drummer Miles Turk, exploring the intimate dynamics of the chord-less trio format. This stripped-down setting highlights George's melodic sensibility and allows for the conversational interplay that he sees as essential to jazz — what he calls the "call and response" that reflects music's "inherently community-based" African roots.

George holds degrees in neurobiology from Harvard and jazz composition from New England Conservatory, plus traditional music studies in Havana. His 2021 debut I Insist on Greenleaf Music earned four-star reviews and praise for introducing "a smart young band" with a sound that's both "timeless and modern." Expect to hear music from that acclaimed release alongside new material from Ocean Passage.