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Brandee Younger

A versatile musician who has been proven to defy genres and labels, this young harpist has created a unique niche in both traditional and non-traditional harp arenas. Performing mainly on a concert grand classical harp, Ms. Younger is often heard performing jazz, classical and hip-hop in a seemingly effortless manner.

Best-known for her limitless drive, Ms. Younger remains in high demand and attracts the attention of today's most well-known artists, producers and groups. As a classical harpist, she has performed with an array of orchestras including the Eastern Connecticut Symphony, Soulful Symphony, Ensemble Du Monde, Camerata New York and the Red Bull Artsehcro, a "non-conformist" orchestra.

She has worked & recorded with a number of jazz luminaries including Nat Reeves, Ravi Coltrane, Charlie Haden, Reggie Workman, Kenny Garrett, Rashied Ali, Jeff "Tain" Watts and Steve Wilson, as well as with a host of New York City's top, young jazz musicians.

In hip-hop, she has worked with several producers, including Ryan Leslie on the album of Bad Boy© recording artist, Cassie and worked with bassist, Derrick Hodge, on 'Finding Forever', the number one album of Hip-Hop recording artist, Common. She effortlessly performs in many diverse genres, due to her proficiency as an artist and all around musician, not just as an instrumentalist.

A native of Long Island, Ms. Younger grew up in Hempstead and Uniondale, where she began her harp studies as a teen. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Harp Performance and Music Business at The Hartt School of the University of Hartford, and her Master of Arts in Harp Performance from New York University. Her formal instructors on the University level include harpists Rebecca Flannery, Susan Jolles, Emily Mitchell, and bassist, Nat Reeves.

Currently, she resides in Manhattan where she freelances as a soloist, and performs as part of The Workman String Summit, led by bassist, Reggie Workman, and the Laura Kahle Quintet, led by composer and trumpeter, Laura Kahle.

Ms. Younger teaches privately in New York and is on the harp faculty of the Hartt School Community Division, at the University of Hartford in Connecticut.

Gear

Lyon & Healy concert harp. Custom Realist pickup from David Gage.


Tags

Radio & Podcasts

Brandee Younger: I'm Done Running From The Harp Police

Read "Brandee Younger: I'm Done Running From The Harp Police" reviewed by Leo Sidran


When it comes to instruments that are not easily designed for improvising soloists, there is perhaps none more difficult to handle than the harp. And when it comes to contemporary jazz harpists, there is perhaps none more influential in this moment than Brandee Younger. From the very beginning, as a young music student growing up on Long Island, Brandee Younger was toeing the line between her classical, orchestral musical education and the hiphop, soul and pop music that ...

4
Live Review

Brandee Younger Trio at Jazz Alley

Read "Brandee Younger Trio at Jazz Alley" reviewed by Paul Rauch


Brandee Younger Trio Jazz Alley Seattle, WA June 6, 2023 The community of innovative and groundbreaking harpists is a small one. All of these visionaries have taken the large, but delicate instrument out of the context of European classical music, and ventured into a variety of genres, most notably, post-bop jazz. The entirety of the post- bop lineage can be traced back to Detroit harpist Dorothy Ashby, a fine singer and composer as well. ...

1
Live Review

Brandee Younger at Dazzle

Read "Brandee Younger at Dazzle" reviewed by Geoff Anderson


Brandee Younger Dazzle Denver, Colorado June 4, 2023 The harp is far from a common jazz instrument and the list of famous jazz harpists is a short one. In fact, the list of significant jazz harpists probably numbers about two: Alice Coltrane and Dorothy Ashby. There have been a few others here and there, but none that had the impact of those two. But wait, there's a new contender on the scene: Brandee ...

6
Album Review

Brandee Younger: Brand New Life

Read "Brand New Life" reviewed by La-Faithia White


American harpist and composer Brandee Younger fuses hip hop, classical, funk and jazz on Brand New Life. Younger became a Grammy award nominee for her label debut. Brand New Life features new works inspired by her hero, harpist Dorothy Ashby. “You're A Girl For One Man Only" written by Younger and Ashby, has reinterpretations of Dorothy Ashby; a beautiful, meditative love song and nice collaboration with the vibraphone; a smooth introduction with Younger and drum snares. “Brand New ...

2
Radio & Podcasts

Brandee Younger, Clovis Nicolas, Guillaume Vierset, Mariusz Sobanski & More

Read "Brandee Younger, Clovis Nicolas, Guillaume Vierset, Mariusz Sobanski & More" reviewed by Ludovico Granvassu


Strings, strings and more strings in this episode... from those of Brandee Younger's and Dorothy Ashby's harps, to those of the Ulysses String Quartet; from those of the guitars of Marc Ribot, Mariusz Sobanski and Guillaume Vierset, to those of the basses of Meshell Ndegeocello and Clovis Nicolas.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Hot Mustard feat. Alanna Royale “The End of Time" Seconds (Color Red) 0:16 Host talks ...

1
Radio & Podcasts

Brandee Younger, Art Farmer, and Bill Bruford

Read "Brandee Younger, Art Farmer, and Bill Bruford" reviewed by Jerome Wilson


This show includes saxophonists, spiritual jazz and jazz-rock. Artists heard on the show include Brandee Younger, Joe Lovano, Bill Bruford, Roxy Coss, and David Virelles. Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (Mosaic) 00:00 Roxy Coss “Ely, MN" from Disparate Parts (Outside In) 00:54 Wayne Shorter Quarter “S. S. Golden Mean" from Without A Net (Blue Note) 8:18 Host Speaks 13:31 Sonny ...

2
Radio & Podcasts

Brandee Younger, Theo Croker, William Parker, Marco Fumo & Other New Releases

Read "Brandee Younger, Theo Croker, William Parker, Marco Fumo & Other New Releases" reviewed by Ludovico Granvassu


Spiritual jazz, accordions, Ennio Morricone, noir atmospheres, unbridled virtuosos, the mighty guitar of Eva Mendoza, and much more in this set focusing on recent and upcoming releases.Happy listening!PlaylistBen Allison"Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Theo Croker “Hero Stomp // A Future Past" Hero Stomp // A Future Past—Single (Masterworks) 0:16 Host talks 7:49 Web Web “Akinuba" Web Max (Compost) 9:15 Brandee Younger “Spirit U Will" Somewhere Different (Impulse!) 12:27 Host talks 19:27 ...

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155

Performance / Tour

Alternative Harps at Theater 80 (NYC) on August 27

Alternative Harps at Theater 80 (NYC) on August 27

Source: Michael Ricci

A unique blend of improvised and composed music will be showcased by harpists Brandee Younger, Mia Theodoratus and Riza Hequibal on August 27 at Theater 80 St. Marks. The chic trio announced today that they will demonstrate their talents fusing jazz, classical and world music. These compelling harpists consist of Younger, a soulfully buoyant personality who has been featured in many avant garde settings through her work with jazz masters including Ravi Coltrane, Charlie Haden and Jack Dejohnette; Theodoratus, a ...

201

Education

Harpists Brandee Younger and Megan Sesma to Work in Guatemala

Harpists Brandee Younger and Megan Sesma to Work in Guatemala

Source: All About Jazz

Two versatile harpists, Brandee Younger and Megan Sesma, will be showcasing their love for teaching and performing through the Guatemala Harp Teaching Project. February 17-26, the two talented instrumentalists will be volunteering their time to travel to Guatemala to coach and teach for a short period of time at venues which will include El Conservatorio Nacional de Musica in Guatemala City, and El Sitio Cultural in Antigua. Their teachings will also include harp projects in Jocotenango and San Lucas Toliman, ...

149

Festival

URB ALT Festival Harps on Alice Coltrane June 9th at Harlem School of the Arts with Res, the Exit, Muthawit Orchestra, Tenderhead, Brandee Younger and Others

URB ALT Festival Harps on Alice Coltrane June 9th at Harlem School of the Arts with Res, the Exit, Muthawit Orchestra, Tenderhead, Brandee Younger and Others

Source: 4961 Polemics

Harlem, NY - June 6. The URB ALT Festival 2007 launch brings alternative music/film uptown Saturday, June 9th at the Harlem School of the Arts. Opening day features the pop-rock soulful ambience of Res; the socially incisive post rock of the Exit; the cosmic big band explorations of the MuthaWit Orchestra; he soul laced protorock melodicism of Tenderhead; the experimental violin/laptop shenanigans of Jahlili Rawkstraw; the polyphonic harp virtuosity of Brandee Younger; and the soulful tobacco-road paved electronica of Shanti ...

Primary Instrument

Harp

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

Teaches all levels and ages. Is cheerful, bright and inspiring teacher.

Photos

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Brand New Life

Verve Music Group
2023

buy

In These Times

International Anthem Recording Company
2022

buy

12 COMP (ZIM) 2017

Firehouse 12 Records
2021

buy

Somewhere Different

Impulse! Records
2021

buy

We're New Again

XL Recordings
2020

buy

Soul Awakening

Self Produced
2019

buy

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