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Onaje Allan Gumbs

Onaje Allan Gumbs is one of the industry’s most respected and talented musical collaborators. He has worked for more than 30 years with an illustrious list of jazz, R&B and pop artists. In 1974, he created a special arrangement of "Stella By Starlight" for the New York Jazz Repertory Company as part of a concert honoring Miles Davis at Carnegie Hall. He followed that with live and recorded performances with such artists as Lenny White, Buster Williams, Cecil McBee and Betty Carter. In 1975,Onaje joined forces with trumpeter, Nat Adderley as part of his quintet contributing to the group’s releases on Atlantic and Steeplechase Records. Producer Nils Winter of Steeplechase upon hearing Onaje’s improvisations, invited the young pianist to record a solo piano project entitled Onaje.

In 1976, Onaje provided the arrangement for the song that was to become the signature piece for the late great vocalist Phyllis Hyman, "Betcha By Golly Wow." In 1978, the Woody Shaw Group, for which Onaje was pianist, won the Down Beat Reader’s Poll for Best Jazz Group and for Best Jazz Album (Rosewood).The album was later nominated for a Grammy. In 1985, Onaje lent his keyboard and arrangement skills to "Lady In My Life" on guitarist Stanley Jordan’s widely acclaimed debut album, Magic Touch on Blue Note Records.This was the 1st jazz album in history to maintain the #1 spot atop Billboard Magazine’s jazz charts for more than 50 weeks.

In 1986, Onaje received the “Min-on Art Award"..."in recognition of his great contribution to the promotion and development of a new musical movement for people with the aim of the creation of Peace...” Previous recipients of this prestigious honor include Tina Turner, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter,and Buster Williams. Motivated by the goal for World Peace,Onaje uses the practice of Nicherin Daishonin’s Buddhism as a philosophical,spiritual and technical approach to his life and his music. His composition, "Quiet Passion" and his rendition of the Delphonics classic, "(Didn’t I ) Blow your Mind This Time" both from his project, That Special Part Of Me have remained in rotation on the playlists of Smooth Jazz Radio Stations around the country since their initial introduction back in February of 1988. Panasonic chose his song, "Dare To Dream," with lyrics by Charles Allen, as the theme for their 10th anniversary celebration honoring their project; Kid Witness News.

In addition to the release of That Special Part Of Me and Dare To Dream on MCA Records, he currently has an independently financed solo project; Remember Their Innocence. Onaje has been featured twice on NPR "Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland." He also composed,arranged and performed the original score for the Showtime film, "Override," directed by actor/producer Danny Glover. In 1997, Onaje again embraced the music of Miles Davis as conductor/arranger for Grammy Award winning vocalist Cassandra Wilson’s concert, "Travelin' Miles."

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Catching Up With

Onaje Allan Gumbs: Dare To Dream

Read "Onaje Allan Gumbs: Dare To Dream" reviewed by La-Faithia White


Onaje Allan Gumbs is a New York based pianist, composer, lyricist, and bandleader. Gumbs' professional career began in 1971 when Leroy Kirkland introduced him to Kenny Burrell, by sharing a demo tape. The next day Gumbs received a phone call to play with Burrell at Baker's Keyboard Lounge in Detroit. Onaje, (Gumbs) talks about the beginnings of his musical career, and the various artists, some who became friends, that he has collaborated with throughout those years. These artists have inspired ...

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Album Review

Onaje Allan Gumbs: Bloodlife: Solo Piano Improvisations Based on the Melodies of Ronald Shannon Jackson

Read "Bloodlife: Solo Piano Improvisations Based on the Melodies of Ronald Shannon Jackson" reviewed by John Kelman


Best known for his mainstream work with Woody Shaw on classic albums like The Moontrane (Muse, 1975) and Stepping Stones (Columbia, 1978), it may come as a surprise to learn that pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs was not just a friend and mentor to Ronald Shannon Jackson, but that he also played on the drummer's Decode Yourself (Island, 1985)--an album that, like much of Jackson's Decoding Society work, took Ornette Coleman's harmolodic Prime Time group as a starting point for his ...

394
Album Review

Onaje Allan Gumbs: Sack Full of Dreams

Read "Sack Full of Dreams" reviewed by John Kelman


The term “journeyman musician" is an often misunderstood and unjustly maligned one. Rather than its “jack of all trades, master of none" connotation, in the sphere of music it more often refers to artists who seamlessly straddle multiple genres while retaining their individual voices no matter what the style. Pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs may well be the definitive journeyman musician, having worked with everyone from Woody Shaw to Gerald Albright and Ronald Shannon Jackson. His own records have been equally ...

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Interview

Onaje Allan Gumbs: Music Heard, and Felt

Read "Onaje Allan Gumbs: Music Heard, and Felt" reviewed by R.J. DeLuke


“I recently did it on a gig and one of the patrons told me, in her words, she was 'messed up.' It affected her. I gave a little intro into where the song is coming from. The band got into it. I finished the tune. Went through a whole bunch of other songs. When I got off the stage, she grabbed my hand and said, 'Onaje, I just want you to know I'm kind of messed up by that song.' ...

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Megaphone

Onaje Allan Gumbs: Music, The Rhythm of Life

Read "Onaje Allan Gumbs: Music, The Rhythm of Life" reviewed by AAJ Staff


By Onaje Allan Gumbs This music we call “jazz" has represented the essence of who we are and who we can become. Music has always been the soundtrack to my life; from the time I was three, I could sing all of the lyrics to the old Eddie Fisher song “Oh My Papa" before I could even say a full sentence. And since becoming a professional musician, I have come to realize the positive effect that my ...

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Album Review

Onaje Allan Gumbs: Remember Their Innocence

Read "Remember Their Innocence" reviewed by William Grim


In our adult-denigrating society, I always cringe whenever I encounter an album that's “for the children." Like books in which the authors claim that part of the proceeds will be donated to charity, it's a certain bet that the there is some defect that the producers are hoping the patina of good will and charity will obviate and make “critic-proof." That is certainly the case here, for this album is a compilation of mostly banal smooth jazz ditties that dull ...

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Album Review

Onaje Allan Gumbs: Remember Their Innocence

Read "Remember Their Innocence" reviewed by Jerry D'Souza


Onaje Allan Gumbs took his wide experiences as a musician into the studio for his latest recording and came up with a winning combination in Remember Their Innocence. There is strong testimony to his passion for jazz, just as there is for the blues, some soul, a Brazilian tune, and a bit of what is known as contemporary jazz. The last category is not watered down by the hose of blandness, instead elevated by the soulful Dennis Collins, whose remarkable ...

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Performance / Tour

Upcoming Onaje Allan Gumbs Performances

Upcoming Onaje Allan Gumbs Performances

Source: All About Jazz

New York-based pianist, composer, and bandleader Onaje Allan Gumbs will appear in a variety of solo and ensembles settings in Fall 2008. Please see below for a full schedule of events.

August 14 at 8:00 p.m. Onaje Allan Gumbs Trio The Gershwin Hotel 7 East 27th Street 212-545-8000 gershwin.com August 22 from 12:00 p.m.—2:00 p.m. Onaje Allan Gumbs Trio Queens County Supreme Courthouse (on the steps) ...

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Performance / Tour

From Cape Town to Midtown: Onaje Allan Gumbs and Hotep Idris Galeta in Piano Duo Series

From Cape Town to Midtown: Onaje Allan Gumbs and Hotep Idris Galeta in Piano Duo Series

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

From Cape Town to Midtown Jazz and the African Diaspora New York and South Africa unite for the Holidays as Bronx-based pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs and South African pianist Hotep Idris Galeta pair up for three unique duo concerts December 13-15 at Shutters Cafe in New York, melding the American and South African jazz traditions in a one-of-a-kind series, presented by Inja Yami Production and Rose Petal Entertainment with support from A.C. Pianocraft. On Thursday, December 13, the two pianists ...

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Performance / Tour

Holiday Jazz on 34th Street, Featuring New York's Onaje Allan Gumbs and South Africa's Hotep Idris Galeta

Holiday Jazz on 34th Street, Featuring New York's Onaje Allan Gumbs and South Africa's Hotep Idris Galeta

Source: All About Jazz

New York and South Africa unite for the Holidays as Bronx-based pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs and South African pianist Hotep Idris Galeta pair up for three unique duo concerts December 13-15 at Shutters Cafe in New York, melding the American and South African jazz traditions in a one-of-a-kind series, presented by Inja Yami Production and Rose Petal Entertainment with support from A.C. Pianocraft.

On Thursday, December 13, the two pianists perform together without accompaniment, presenting their own highly original brands ...

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Performance / Tour

Onaje Allan Gumbs Joins Forces with Stage Actor Obba Babatunde and South African Pianist Hotep Idris Galeta

Onaje Allan Gumbs Joins Forces with Stage Actor Obba Babatunde and South African Pianist Hotep Idris Galeta

Source: All About Jazz

Pianist, composer, and arranger Onaje Allan Gumbs will take part in two major musical collaborations in the upcoming months. On September 20 at the famed Apollo Soundstage, Onaje and the esteemed stage and film actor Obba Babatunde will reprise their successful collaboration from Onaje's latest album Sack Full of Dreams. Onaje and Obba will by joined by actress and vocalist Ebony Jo-Ann for the concert.

On December 13-16, Onaje will team up with the South African jazz pianist Hotep Idris ...

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Performance / Tour

Harlem Speaks Features Pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs July 26, 2007 @ 6:30

Harlem Speaks Features Pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs July 26, 2007 @ 6:30

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

Onaje Allan Gumbs, one of the music industry's most respected and talented musical collaborators, will be honored by The National Jazz Museum in Harlem's Harlem Speaks series on July 26th at 104 East 126th Street at 6:30 p.m. The Harlem-raised artist has worked for more than 30 years with an illustrious list of jazz, R&B and pop artists. In 1974, he created a special arrangement of “Stella By Starlight" for the New York Jazz Repertory Company as part of a ...

123

Performance / Tour

Onaje Allan Gumbs Trio Performs at the Kitano Jazz Club, 5/25 and 5/26

Onaje Allan Gumbs Trio Performs at the Kitano Jazz Club, 5/25 and 5/26

Source: All About Jazz

Pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs returns with his trio to the Kitano Jazz Club on May 25 and 26, 2007. Bassist Marcus McLaurine and drummer Peyton Crossley join Onaje for the performances.

Harlem-born, Queens-raised, pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs has enjoyed a career as first-call sideman, valued arranger and composer, producer, bandleader, and recording artist. Many will remember his vital contributions to such Woody Shaw classics as Moontrane and Rosewood, to which he lent his composing and arranging skills. Still others will ...

112

Interview

Pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs Interviewed at AAJ

Pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz

Pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs has been successful in a wide array of musical styles for more than thirty years, from arranging and performing pop and R&B tunes for Phyllis Hyman, Norman Connors and Noel Pointer, to blowing on top-notch straight-ahead stuff with Woody Shaw and Betty Carter, among others. And things in between. But it is songs like “Lament" and the title cut to the new CD that exemplify a big part of what is behind the work of the ...

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Performance / Tour

Onaje Allan Gumbs' CD Release Party At Joe's Pub on February 9, 2007

Onaje Allan Gumbs' CD Release Party At Joe's Pub on February 9, 2007

Source: All About Jazz

Featuring Bob DeVos, Marcus McLaurine, Gary Fritz and George Gray Concert Celebrates Release of Onaje's Latest Album, Sack Full of Dreams.

Pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs celebrates the release of his latest album, Sack Full of Dreams, with a performance at Joe's Pub on February 9, 2007, at 9:30 p.m. Joining Onaje are guitarist Bob DeVos, bassist Marcus McLaurine, percussionist Gary Fritz, and drummer George Gray.

Harlem-born, Queens-raised, Onaje Allan Gumbs has enjoyed a career as first-call ...

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Performance / Tour

The Onaje Allan Gumbs Trio Performs at Blues Alley January 23

The Onaje Allan Gumbs Trio Performs at Blues Alley January 23

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services

The Onaje Allan Gumbs Trio at Blues Alley JANUARY 23, 2007 Pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs celebrates the release of his latest album, Sack Full of Dreams, with a trio performance at Blues Alley on January 23, 2007. Joining Onaje are bassist Kenny Davis and drummer George Gray.

Harlem-born, Queens-raised pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs has enjoyed a career as first-call sideman, valued arranger and composer, producer, and most importantly, bandleader and recording artist. Many will remember him for his ...

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Performance / Tour

Onaje Allan Gumbs Trio at Blues Alley, 1/23/07

Onaje Allan Gumbs Trio at Blues Alley, 1/23/07

Source: All About Jazz

Pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs celebrates the release of his latest album, Sack Full of Dreams, with a trio performance at Blues Alley on January 23, 2007. Joining Onaje are bassist Kenny Davis and drummer George Gray.

Harlem-born, Queens-raised, pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs has enjoyed a career as first-call sideman, valued arranger and composer, producer, and most importantly, bandleader and recording artist. Many will remember him for his vital contributions to such Woody Shaw classics as Moontrane and Rosewood, to which ...

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Another Blue

Arkadia Records
2021

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Two, The Top

Commercial Free Jazz
2016

buy

Sack Full Of Dreams

18th & Vine
2007

buy

Remember Their...

Ejano Records
2005

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Dare To Dream

East Recording Company
1991

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