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Stories   >   Brandee Younger brings her trailblazing harp talent to La Jolla's annual SummerFest / THERESANDIEGO

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Brandee Younger brings her trailblazing harp talent to La Jolla's annual SummerFest / THERESANDIEGO

Posted: August 1, 2024

“No harpist thus far has been more capable of combining all of the modern harp traditions — from Salzedo, through Dorothy Ashby, through Alice Coltrane — with such strength, grace and commitment.” -  The New York Times

The sonically innovative harpist, Brandee Younger, is revolutionizing harp for the digital era. Over the past fifteen years, she has worked relentlessly to stretch boundaries and limitations for harpists.  In 2022, she made history by becoming the first Black woman to be nominated for a Grammy® Award for Best Instrumental Composition. That same year, she was also nominated for an NAACP Image Award and later, the winner of the 2024 NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Jazz Album for her latest album Brand New Life.  Ever-expanding as an artist, she has worked with cultural icons including Common, Lauryn Hill, John Legend, Pharoah Sanders and Christian McBride.   Her original composition “Hortense” was featured in the Netflix Concert-Documentary, Beyoncé: Homecoming and in 2019, Brandee was selected to perform her original music as a featured performer for Quincy Jones and Steve McQueens’ “Soundtrack of America”.  Brandee is often noted for standing on the shoulders of the very women who ushered in the harp as a clear and distinct voice in jazz & popular styles - particularly Detroit natives Dorothy Ashby & Alice Coltrane.  Her new album, Brand New Life, builds on her already rich oeuvre, and cements the harp’s place in pop culture.  As the title of the album suggests, Brand New Life is about forging new paths–artistic, personal, political, and spiritual.  Younger's music is imbued with a sense of purpose and respect of legacy, creating a larger platform for the harp to reach newer and wider audiences than ever before.  In addition to teaching at Steinhardt, Younger holds leadership positions as a board member of The Coltrane Home and New Music USA. Follow: @harpista 


Strings of Genius: Trailblazing Talent Brandee Younger with La Jolla Music Society

THERESANDIEGO writes…..Head over to The JAI at The Conrad in La Jolla for an intimate, cabaret-style performance by jazz harp sensation Brandee Younger. As part of La Jolla Music Society’s annual SummerFest, this is a show you won’t want to miss!

Brandee Younger, described by The New York Times as having “almost single-handedly made a persuasive argument for the harp’s role in contemporary jazz,” is set to dazzle with her trio.

With a 2021 GRAMMY nomination and accolades from the Financial Times as “the go-to harpist of her generation,” Younger has pushed boundaries for harpists over the past fifteen years.

In 2022, she made history as the first black woman to be nominated for a GRAMMY Award for Best Instrumental Composition and was also up for an NAACP Image Award that year.

Collaborations With Cultural Icons
Ever the trailblazer, Brandee Younger has collaborated with cultural icons such as Common, Lauryn Hill, Joh Legend, and Moses Sumney.

Her latest album, Brand New Life, is a testament to her innovation and homage to her musical foremother, Dorothy Ashby. The album is a blend of artistic, personal, political, and spiritual explorations, cementing the harp’s place in pop culture.

At The JAI, patrons can enjoy small bites and drinks in a jazz club atmosphere, complete with a full bar and table service. This setting is perfect for immersing yourself in the rich, soulful sounds of Brandee Younger’s harp.

Catch Brandee Younger’s performances on Thursday, August 8, and experience the magic live!

See you there, San Diego!

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