Kazemde George Quartet
Tenor saxophonist Kazemde George brings his unique musical vision to Mr. Tipple's intimate basement jazz room, weaving together traditions from across the African diaspora. The Berkeley-raised, Brooklyn-based musician creates expansive soundscapes that blend bebop with Afro-Cuban rhythms, Brazilian bossa nova, hip hop beats, and Caribbean influences — all filtered through his warm, lyrical tenor sound that eschews the hard bop cry for something more meditative and melodic.
George's unusual path to jazz included a Harvard neurobiology degree before earning his masters in jazz composition from New England Conservatory. A year studying traditional music in Havana, Cuba deepened his connection to Afro-Cuban rhythms, which surface throughout his compositions alongside influences from J Dilla, Madlib, and Flying Lotus. His 2021 debut album I Insist on Greenleaf Music showcases his gift for streamlined melodies and explorations of diaspora musical traditions.
Reviews describe George's live performances as "impressively mellow" with a "cool jazz" approach reminiscent of mid-1950s masters, yet infused with international influences that make his style distinctly contemporary. His compositions grow from simple, haunting melodies into extended improvisational journeys, with the trio building unity and power as the set progresses. Expect pieces like the Cuban rumba that transforms into "an abstract painting with Juan Miró-like light notes roaming high in the air," and the ironically-titled "Waltz" — actually written in 5/5 time during a Covid retreat in Maine.
The quartet format allows George to showcase both his compositional vision and his collaborative spirit, drawing from the same musical community where he regularly hosts jam sessions in Brooklyn. In Mr. Tipple's cozy, speakeasy-style room — repeatedly awarded Best Jazz Club in San Francisco — this rising voice in modern improvised music promises an evening of spiritually grounded, melodically rich jazz that bridges continents and generations.
