First, let me say that performing with Robert Glasper and Derrick Hodge was a dream come true. Playing with musicians of their caliber made me step my game up and it was also a great learning experience. Let me take you back to how much friendship with them started. I initially met Robert in L.A. at Vikter Duplaix's "Kiss-n-Grind" Grammy Party. We were both nominated for Grammys that year. He came up to the V.I.P. suite I was in looking for someone and asked me what I was doing then invited me to celebrate his bithday with him downstairs. We mingled, ate cake, had PLENTY of drinks and just had a great time. That was that.
The next time I saw him was at The Jazz cafe in The Music Hall in Detroit. I walked in the place to a heated Glasper. His trio was there to perform and the piano had not been tuned and the soundman was HORRIBLE. I sat at the front table waiting for the show to start while Rob was letting the soundman have it. I was mumbling to myself what the soundman should be doing and Glasper overheard me. He said, "Dude... can you help me? You know what to do?" My response was a short "yes" and he said, "Alright. Do it." So, basically I kicked the soundman out of the booth and ended up running sound for the entire show. It was a really great show!!!!! Before I left, we chatted for a sec and he said that my new name was "Savior". We laughed, exchanged numbers and I went home. We've kept in touch since then. Speaking about music mostly. That brings us to his most recent show at The Charles H. Wright Museum and how I would be the "Savior" yet again.
The day of the show started off great. I woke up with great energy and the sun was shining BRIGHT!!!! I had hilarious phone conversations with a couple really good friends of mine. Zo! from Foreign Exchange and my big brother, Karriem Riggins. I worked and chilled on Twitter until it was time to set up for my show at MotorCity Wine that night. My best friend, Derrick Benford and I went downtown to get set up for the show and the very moment we went back to the truck the leave, I had a text saying that Rob needed a two-tier keyboard stand. I looked over at Derrick and said, "Go grab your stand. Glasper needs it." There were no questions asked. We showed up to the soundcheck, stand in hand, and Rob yelled, "Savior"!!!!! It was hilarious. They need the stand for Casey Benjamin's vocoder rig. Shortly after, the show started and I caught the first half before heading to MotorCity Wine. Right before I left, Robert asked where I was playing because he wanted to come hang with me? I told him and he said "Cool... we'll be there." Next thing I know, I'm getting phone calls and texts from tons of people that were at the show saying, "Robert Glasper just announced that he was going to MotorCity Wine." I was in the middle of playing, answering the phone and responding to texts all at the same time. It was hilarious!!!!!
When Glasper got there, the people went CRAZY!!!!! He listened to us play, we drank wine, and just had a good time. He told me that I sounded great. I was shocked because even though this is my main man, he's still "Robert Glasper". I listen to his music everyday. When he said that, my response was, "Dude, I'm trying out here" and he said something that will stick with me forever. "No... you're NOT trying. I've been listening since I got here and it's effortless for you. You're NOT trying. You're doing and you KILLING it." What could I say after that but thank you? It was such a huge compliment. It was 1:40 and we were actually done with our show after that set which was supposed to end at 1:30a and Glasper said, "I came here to see YOU. You have to do another set." So... another set we did. That's when the magic happened.
My keyboardist, Derrick Benford started off the set by playing J-Dilla's "Stakes Is High". Robert heard that and being a HUGE fan of Dilla, he jumped on the keys and Derrick Hodge grabbed the bass. The rest is history. Glasper called up a flute patch on the Motif and went to work while Hodge was manhandling the bass. Glasper's solo was very simple, yet very complex. When you watch the video, you'll see what I mean. Hodge was the deepest groove I've EVER felt on bass. I've never experience performing with a bass played that grooved the way he did. As much as I stay "in the pocket", the way Hodge played kept me there. I couldn't move. After all of this reading, I'm sure you're ready to watch the video. So... check it out and let me know what you think. Post your comments here and on YouTube. Enjoy!!!!!
The next time I saw him was at The Jazz cafe in The Music Hall in Detroit. I walked in the place to a heated Glasper. His trio was there to perform and the piano had not been tuned and the soundman was HORRIBLE. I sat at the front table waiting for the show to start while Rob was letting the soundman have it. I was mumbling to myself what the soundman should be doing and Glasper overheard me. He said, "Dude... can you help me? You know what to do?" My response was a short "yes" and he said, "Alright. Do it." So, basically I kicked the soundman out of the booth and ended up running sound for the entire show. It was a really great show!!!!! Before I left, we chatted for a sec and he said that my new name was "Savior". We laughed, exchanged numbers and I went home. We've kept in touch since then. Speaking about music mostly. That brings us to his most recent show at The Charles H. Wright Museum and how I would be the "Savior" yet again.
The day of the show started off great. I woke up with great energy and the sun was shining BRIGHT!!!! I had hilarious phone conversations with a couple really good friends of mine. Zo! from Foreign Exchange and my big brother, Karriem Riggins. I worked and chilled on Twitter until it was time to set up for my show at MotorCity Wine that night. My best friend, Derrick Benford and I went downtown to get set up for the show and the very moment we went back to the truck the leave, I had a text saying that Rob needed a two-tier keyboard stand. I looked over at Derrick and said, "Go grab your stand. Glasper needs it." There were no questions asked. We showed up to the soundcheck, stand in hand, and Rob yelled, "Savior"!!!!! It was hilarious. They need the stand for Casey Benjamin's vocoder rig. Shortly after, the show started and I caught the first half before heading to MotorCity Wine. Right before I left, Robert asked where I was playing because he wanted to come hang with me? I told him and he said "Cool... we'll be there." Next thing I know, I'm getting phone calls and texts from tons of people that were at the show saying, "Robert Glasper just announced that he was going to MotorCity Wine." I was in the middle of playing, answering the phone and responding to texts all at the same time. It was hilarious!!!!!
When Glasper got there, the people went CRAZY!!!!! He listened to us play, we drank wine, and just had a good time. He told me that I sounded great. I was shocked because even though this is my main man, he's still "Robert Glasper". I listen to his music everyday. When he said that, my response was, "Dude, I'm trying out here" and he said something that will stick with me forever. "No... you're NOT trying. I've been listening since I got here and it's effortless for you. You're NOT trying. You're doing and you KILLING it." What could I say after that but thank you? It was such a huge compliment. It was 1:40 and we were actually done with our show after that set which was supposed to end at 1:30a and Glasper said, "I came here to see YOU. You have to do another set." So... another set we did. That's when the magic happened.
My keyboardist, Derrick Benford started off the set by playing J-Dilla's "Stakes Is High". Robert heard that and being a HUGE fan of Dilla, he jumped on the keys and Derrick Hodge grabbed the bass. The rest is history. Glasper called up a flute patch on the Motif and went to work while Hodge was manhandling the bass. Glasper's solo was very simple, yet very complex. When you watch the video, you'll see what I mean. Hodge was the deepest groove I've EVER felt on bass. I've never experience performing with a bass played that grooved the way he did. As much as I stay "in the pocket", the way Hodge played kept me there. I couldn't move. After all of this reading, I'm sure you're ready to watch the video. So... check it out and let me know what you think. Post your comments here and on YouTube. Enjoy!!!!!