By Joel Roberts
Trumpeter Jafar Barron is the 21st Century bridge between Jazz, Soul and Hip-Hop. Building creatively from the foundations set forth by jazz pioneers Miles Davis, Thelonius Monk, and John Coltrane, Jafar brings together his own team of players including his brother, Farid Barron, a Wynton Marsalis protégé, bringing to life his fluid, original compositions.
Since the age of six, Jafar has been blowing on his trumpet. Raised in a musically-conscious family, his parents George and Janet Barron were Philly Jazz legends. Jafar is influenced by the melodic stylings of '70s soul/R&B, straight ahead jazz, and be-bop, as well as the musical culture of his generation. Jafar's music composes hard-hitting tunes and smooth melodies that are familiar to the swing era and be-bop sound. His album also combines spoken word with his unique Jazz sounds.
In 1990, Jafar enrolled in Howard University studying music. During his time at Howard, Jafar became very serious about the Jazz medium and approached his craft with undaunted commitment. In 1991, Jafar moved back to Philadelphia and enrolled at the University of the Arts. Following the traditions of other Jazz greats, Jafar left the University to establish himself on the Philly Jazz scene in 1992.
According to one Philadelphia music writer, Jafar has dazzled audiences around Philadelphia with his innovative stylings. His sound has accented the albums of hip-hop artists Common, Will Smith as well as King Britt's Sylk 130 project.
Jafar's trumpet tunes can be heard playing on such albums as Erykah Badu's GRAMMY® -award-winning Baduizm; Jill Scott's 2000 GRAMMY® -nominated Who Is Jill Scott?; and Jamaladeen Tacuma's Dreamscape, among others. Some of the jazz greats Barron has also worked with are Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, and Bootsie Barnes.
Jafar's debut album, The Free-Bop Movement, will be released by Q Records and Alafia Records on February 20, 2001.
