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About Meshell Ndegeocello

Live Review

Meshell Ndegeocello at the Newman Center

by Geoff Anderson
February 24, 2026

Meshell Ndegeocello Newman Center Denver, CO February 13, 2026 Protest music has a long history in the United States. It often ebbs and flows depending on the political temperature of the moment. The '60s were a fertile time for such music owing to the twin upheavals of the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War. Activism through jazz is nothing new. For example, drummer Max Roach demanded social justice in his album, Max Roach: We Insist! Freedom Now ...

Live Review

Meshell Ndegeocello at SFJAZZ Center

by Harry S. Pariser
February 2, 2025

Meshell Ndegeocello No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin SFJAZZ Center San Francisco, CA January 17, 2025 The works and courageous career of writer and novelist James Baldwin (August 2, 1924--December 1, 1987) had an immense impact on many people. One of them is bassist and songwriter/composer Meshell Ndegeocello, who first composed some of the tunes on her latest CD, No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin around a decade ago. ...

Radio & Podcasts

The Jazz Worlds of James Baldwin - Part 1

by Ludovico Granvassu
November 5, 2024

The centennial of writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin offers a great opportunity to look into the call and response which has been going on, for decades, between Baldwin's inner world and the world of jazz. Here is a set featuring music inspired by his writings and tunes by musicians we was connected with. Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Sébastien Texier, Christophe Marguet “Another Country ...

Radio & Podcasts

Meshell Ndegeocello, Shaun Martin, Patricia Brennan and Kiki Valera

by Hobart Taylor
August 14, 2024

Music from Meshell Ndegeocello from No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin, remembering pianist Shaun Martin, Patricia Brennan's new release Breaking Stretch and the latest from guitarist Kiki Valera.Playlist Kiki Valera “Funfuñando" from Vacilon Santiaguero (Circle 9 Records) 0:00 Jane Bunnett & Maqueque “Bolero a un Sueño" from Playing With Fire (Linus) 5:32 Dafnis Prieto “Conga Ingenua" from 3 Sides of the Coin (Dafnison) 10:54 Host Speaks 19:18 Catherine Russell and Sean Mason “South To A Warmer" ...

Play This!

Meshell Ndegeocello: Gatsby

by Scott Lichtman
February 10, 2024

For 2024, the Grammys introduced a new category for Best Alternative Jazz Album, i.e. a genre-blending, envelope-pushing hybrid that mixes jazz with other styles. The first winner is Meshell Ndegeocello for The Omnichord Real Book. While Ndegeocello's pieces span jazz, hip hop, African, folk, and electronica influences, she's also capable of writing beautiful ballads. Have a listen to “Gatsby." Is it a fresh perspective on the classic novel The Great Gatsby or perhaps a reflection about her life... or yours? ...

Radio & Podcasts

A Hip-Hop Jazz Thing @50 - Part 2

by Ludovico Granvassu
August 22, 2023

This week we take a look back at decades of cross pollination between jazz and hip-hop, with a focus on international projects and on collaborations between jazz and hip-hop artists. Our little contribution to the celebrations of half a century of hip-hop. Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Dream Warriors “My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style" And Now the Legacy Begins (Island Records, 4th & Broadway) ...

Album Review

Sam Gendel: Cookup

by Scott Gudell
May 13, 2023

Saxophonist Sam Gendel has sent out an invitation to an unusual sonic Cookup. So what is he serving? Who will be there? Will beat poets merge with experimental musicians in a smoky jazz grotto? Will it be a cryptic musical labyrinth or a collection of meandering songs? Is it a transcription of ancient African organic rhythms or something more modern? The answer is elusive and, by design, a moving target. There are bits and pieces of all the ...