Results for "The TOaG Quartet"

Musician

The TOaG Quartet

As an assembly of instrumentalists, the TOaG Quartet is an Oakland-based musical organization inspired by the many lineages of improvisation and groove. Striving to be honest to who we are, where we have been, and where we hope to go, we pay homage to the work of our elders - who laid the groundwork upon which we stand - while aspiring to spark the mind with truth, and move the spirit with groove. Alongside the tireless service of community music educators, TOaG also works to support arts education by curating jazz clinics for young students, creating a positive space for musical exchange between professionals and pupils.

Under the leadership of Benjamin Lee, The TOaG Quartet is dedicated to producing hard-hitting original jazz, honoring our musical roots, and supporting arts education.

Ricky Carter - Drums
DV Wright - Guitar, Live Effects
Matt Kelly - Trumpet
Benjamin Lee - Upright and Electric Bass, Sampler

Musician

Benjamin Lee

Born: 1990

It all started with a music teacher who needed to add some low end to her third grade orchestra. She picked the tallest kid in the room, who had his big hands wrapped around a cello at the time, and said “Hey! Take a look here, come play this upright bass!” That kid was Benjamin Lee, and once he heard the resonant tones of the largest instrument he had ever seen, he was hooked. Born in Los Angeles, California, Ben grew up in an incredibly diverse soundscape. His first library of music was his father’s record collection, which melded Laurel Canyon sounds with classic rock, folk, jazz, soul, and spirituals

Video

MA SAID

Featuring the music of The TOaG Quartet
Duration: 6:07
March 11, 2020

"The TOaG Quartet: Live at the Airship" is an 84-minute double album of all original music, recorded live in front of an audience at the premiere Airship Laboratories recording studio. Sparking the mind with truth, and moving the spirit with groove, our collective is one part working band and one part teaching ensemble. This tune, Ma Said, is dedicated to the mothers/guardians/caretakers. The warriors of love who unflinchingly continue the struggles of their mothers, and their mothers before them. Like old grove trees their roots are as deep as life itself, and often form the foundation of our lived experience. They are leaders, advocates, partners, sisters, listeners, caregivers, fighters, healers, and more... "to ignore how she got here, is to forget herstory, and who we are because of it." May we honor them, and stand as they taught us too - facing evil head on with love.

Album

Live at the Airship

By The TOaG Quartet

Label: Self Produced
Released: 2019
Track listing: The Beginning: Home Away Part 2: Tell You 'Bout A Friend; Avon; La Continuación; La Bestia; The Band; The Ruff; Dedication; Tell You 'Bout Her; Ma Said; Devil's Breath Part 2; Music and Arts; Air and Away; Grey and Green.