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Victor Provost

Victor Provost is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading voices on the unique, and often misunderstood, steel pan (or steel drum). Through appearances at concert halls, clubs, and stages throughout the world, he has been meticulously developing a reputation as a “dazzling” soloist, crafting an improvisational voice and style to be reckoned with. With a strong foundation in Bebop, a contemporary sensibility, and deep roots in Caribbean music, he works in countless genres and musical styles. The Washington D.C. City Paper’s “Jazz Percussionist of the Year” five years running, his freshmen release “Her Favorite Shade of Yellow” was named one of the top five albums of 2011, and the publications named him “Jazz Artist of the Year” in 2012.

In addition to leading his own group, Victor tours with NEA Jazz Master, Paquito D’Rivera, is a member of the GRAMMY award-winning Afro Bop Alliance, and works with several of the Mid-Atlantic region’s most lauded musical collectives (including Dion Parson’s 21st Century Band, the Reginald Cyntje Group, and Michael Bowie’s Sine Qua Non). Already in his relatively young career, he has performed and recorded with many Jazz Luminaries including Wynton Marsalis, Hugh Masakela, Joe Locke, Nicholas Payton, Terell Stafford, Dave Samuels, Steve Nelson, Ron Blake, and Wycliffe Gordon, among others.

An Adjunct Professor of Music at George Mason University, Victor also conducts residencies and master classes throughout the United States and the Caribbean at universities and schools such as Berklee College of Music in Boston, University of Akron, Miami University, and Northern Illinois University. He is also an Arts Ambassador to his hometown of the U.S. Virgin Islands, which honored him with a Special Congressional Recognition in 2014, and to which returns frequently to perform and teach as part of Dion Parson’s community-based arts initiative, the United Jazz Foundation.

Awards

Washington D.C. City Paper Jazz Percussionist of the Year - 2010,11,12,13,14,15,16


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Multiple Reviews

Jazz from the US Virgin Islands' new breed

Read "Jazz from the US Virgin Islands' new breed" reviewed by Nigel Campbell


September 2017 was a horrible month for the US Virgin Islands (USVI). As the New York Times wrote, “In the Virgin Islands, Hurricane Maria Drowned What Irma Didn't Destroy." We should not forget that from these isles, a pool of talent has created music that has endured, survived, and influenced. Music writers and researchers have investigated the interrelationship between the mainland and the Virgin Islands jazz scenes to conclude that they have “a fundamental mutual relationship: the American jazz scene ...

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"Mesmerizing" - The Washington Post

"A serious Jazz improvisor" - The New York Times

"Provost demonstrates so much fluidity and inventiveness that the novelty of the steel pan being the lead instrument becomes obsolete." - Downbeat Magazine

"Victor Provost deserves to be a Jazz star" - Washington City Paper

Mike Schwebke
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