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Nasir Dickerson

Nasir Dickerson, BA, MA, Saxophonist, Kora player, African Flutist, composer, producer and recording artist. Emmy Award winning music educator. A student of the late greats, Charles Bowen, Robert Bootsie Barnes and Leon Mitchell; and Presently Cullen Knight. Nasir is the Leader of the jazz sextet, “The Renaissance Messengers” & “Life Light Empower”. He is also the Artistic/music director of “The Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble,” and a World Champion 7th Degree Master Black Belt in the martial arts, inducted into three Hall of Fames.

He has performed with artist such as, The Legendary Roots Crew, Vocalist Bilal, Quest Love, Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, Vocalist Maysa, Akua Naru, Miki Howard, Jeff Bradshaw, Rappers Beanie Sigel, State Property, Stalley, The legendary Stylistics, The Intruders, the Philadelphia Eagles and more. He has opened for legendary jazz greats, such as Dr. Donald Byrd, Robert “Bootsie” Barnes, Wallace Roney, Jimmy Heath, Cyrus Chestnut Trio, Duane Eubanks, Jymie Merritt, Mickey Roker, Stanley Wilson, Sid Simmons and more. In 2011, Nasir along with his family’s organization, The Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble, performed in the movie “WARRIOR” by LIONSGATE starring Nick Nolte.

Being the multi-instrumentalist that he is, Nasir has released 3 albums featuring many different aspects of his creative force. “Let it Shine” (2022), “The Revealer” (2011), and “Journey to Fatherland” (2009) displaying such talents. Nasir is also the band director for the “Little Jazz Giants”. Currently, Nasir, accompanied by his brother Jamal Dickerson, are the directors of both the Camden High School Mighty Marching Panthers Band and the Creative Arts Jazz Band.


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Album Review

Sun Ra Arkestra: Living Sky

Read "Living Sky" reviewed by Stefano Merighi


Mentre la Enterplanetary Koncepts continua a sfornare inediti della Sun Ra Arkestra, il roccioso Marshall Allen--che va per i 100 il prossimo anno...-riesce a concepire di tanto in tanto nuove produzioni. Dopo l'apprezzato Swirling, ecco Living Sky, inciso a Philadelphia nel 2021, ancora sotto lo choc del COVID. E appare proprio come una seduta di musica dolcemente terapeutica questa raccolta di brani tenui, riposanti, deliziosi. Il gruppo raduna 19 elementi, che sotto la guida di Allen imbastiscono una ...

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Nasir Dickerson’s Light Shines Bright!

Read "Nasir Dickerson’s Light Shines Bright!" reviewed by J. Michael Harrison


"Let It Shine" begins with a powerful poem (see below) that's beautifully sung by vocalist Danielle Nichole. It offers a warm and comforting gateway into the title selection of talented multi-instrumentalist Nasir Dickerson's album Let It Shine. For decades Nasir, his parents and siblings have been a source of inspiration, a bright light, and a tremendous asset to many in the Camden and jny: Philadelphia area. So, no one should be surprised that the title composition of his 2022 release ...

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Album Review

Sun Ra Arkestra directed by Marshall Allen: Living Sky

Read "Living Sky" reviewed by Mark Corroto


In 2022, Sun Ra has been gone nearly thirty years, but thanks to maestro Marshall Allen his Arkestra has survived. Allen had been a member of Sun Ra's band since the late 1950s and it has been under Allen's leadership since 1995. Fans that have enjoyed the Arkestra in concert certainly hoped for the band to record and it wasn't until the splendid Swirling (Strut) was released in 2020 that wish was fulfilled. The Marshall Allen-led the Arkestra's second offering, ...

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Album Review

Sun Ra Arkestra directed by Marshall Allen: Living Sky

Read "Living Sky" reviewed by Chris May


When Sun Ra aficionado and Omni Sound Records founder Ahmet Ulug reached out to Sun Ra Arkestra leader Marshall Allen to commission a new album from the band, he gave Allen a tight brief. Ulug said that he wanted something: “Spiritual and hypnotic... down tempo, melodic and grooving... Music that is accessible and healing." Even though the crisis the world endured in 2020 and 2021 called out for such music, Ulug's directions to the veteran sonic-warrior may seem ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Living Sky

Omni Sound
2022

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Let It Shine

Self Produced
2022

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Time & Space

Independent Release
2010

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Videos

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