Najee
A native New Yorker, Najee began his iconic career playing clarinet, saxophone and flute in his hometown Jamaica, Queens New York. While in high school his tutelage included not only Jimmy Heath but Frank Foster, and Dr. Billy Taylor at the Jazzmobile in Harlem. Honing his skills as a flutist he additionally studied with Harold Jones at the Manhattan School of Music.
Along with his brother Fareed, he continued his musical scope at the “New England Conservatory of Music” in Boston with a concentrated study in performance and composition. Upon their return to New York, they were invited to tour with the songstress Chaka Khan through his association with Me'lisa Morgan who at the time was a background vocalist.
Najee then met Charles Huggins of HUSH Productions who invited him to record his “Grammy Nominated - Platinum Selling Debut Album” entitled “Najee’s Theme” released by EMI.
Najee embarked on a US tour with Freddie Jackson laying the foundation for what has be become a revolution of Urban Contemporary Jazz.
His sophomore album Day By Day also achieved platinum. These albums were followed by Tokyo Blue, Just An Illusion” and “Share My World”, all of which attained gold sale status.
His next EMI recording was dedicated to one of his favorite artists Stevie Wonder entitled “Najee Plays Songs from the Key of Life: A Tribute to Stevie Wonder” which revitalized to a new generation Wonders' memorable classics.
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Album Review
- Poetry in Motion by Liz Goodwin
- The Smooth Side of Soul by Jeff Winbush
- Mind Over Matter by Jeff Winbush
- Rising Sun by Jeff Winbush
- My Point of View by Woodrow Wilkins
December 01, 2016
Soulful Sounds Of Christmas Featuring Will Downing & Najee at the...
February 13, 2014
Najee To Perform Concert And Tribute In Kansas City
December 10, 2009
Najee to Perform National Anthem at Orlando Magic Game
December 10, 2009
Jazz This Week: Bill Charlap and Sandy Stewart, Najee, Erin Bode,...
November 11, 2009
Najee to Perform Friday, December 11 at the Ambassador