Robert Glasper, BFA Performance ’01
Multiple Grammy winner Robert Glasper, BFA Performance ’01, leads a new era of jazz
Robert Glasper, BFA Performance ’01, grew up in a household that fostered a life full of jazz. Glasper’s mother was a gospel singer and pianist that brought him along to all her gigs and church performances. The influence of his mother’s profession led Glasper to pursue an education in music. After graduating from Houston’s High School for the Performing Arts, Glasper made the move to Manhattan to attend the School of Jazz at The New School. There, he found a community of like-minded peers with who he collaborated. They strengthened their skill sets and supported each other’s aspirations.
Following Glasper’s studies at The New School, he worked with a variety of artists who specialized in different genres. In 2002 he released his debut album, Mood. In this album he fused together both influences, Jazz and R&B. His albums, Canvas and In My Element followed in 2005 and 2007. Glasper’s 2009 album Double Booked is a combination of songs performed by Glasper and guest vocals by famed musician, Bilal, and rapper Mos Def. Bilal was nominated for a 2010 Grammy for Best Urban/Alternative Performances for the track him and Glasper collaborated on their song “All Matter.”
In February 2012, Glasper released Black Radio. The album reached #10 on Billboard’s Top Current Albums chart and was met with wide acclaim. Black Radio won the 2013 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album.
In June 2015 Glasper, bassist Vincente Archer, and drummer Damion Reid, known professionally as “The Glasper Trio,” released their album titled Covered. The album featured a diverse range of well-known artists including Radiohead, John Legend, Kendrick Lamar, and Joni Mitchell. That year, Covered was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Jazz Instrumental Album.
In 2016, his work on the original motion picture soundtrack for the film Miles Ahead won a Grammy in the category of Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.
Glasper has been nominated for 7 Grammys and has won 3 of them.
