Rising Music Star Nabaté Isles On The Five Things You Need To Shine In The Music Industry
An Interview With Elana Cohen
My main tip is to delve into other interests and use how you developed your own voice as a musician to distinguish yourself from others within your other interests.
As a part of our interview series with leaders, stars, and rising stars in the music industry, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Nabaté Isles.
Nabaté Isles is a Grammy Winning trumpeter as well as a composer and producer, born and raised in New York City. On January 27, 2023, Nabaté released his new album on Ropeadope Records called, ‘En Motion’. The album features the core band of Sam Barsh (also the album’s producer), Eric Harland, Kaveh Rastegar, David Gilmore, Rachel Eckroth & guests include James Francies, Ben Wendel, Victor Provost, Sasha Berliner and Badia Farha. Added featured performers are Mumu Fresh, Kardinal Offishall & the iconic Chuck D. His debut, independent album, ‘Eclectic Excursions’ was in the Top50 in the JazzWeek charts for 6 weeks and received critical acclaim.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit about your “origin story”. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up? Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
I was born and raised in New York City. Born in Manhattan and raised in Queens (LeFrak City/Rego Park). My father hosted a jazz radio show on WBAI throughout my grade school and high school years and would take me to a lot of concerts as a kid. My mother listened to all of the classic R&B and Soul records on Motown, Atlantic and Philadelphia International, to name a few
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
I was inspired by seeing so many great musicians but the virtuosic trumpeter Jon Faddis was a mentor as he had me play with him and his band when I was in middle school, coincidentally called the Louis Armstrong Middle School. The splendid trumpeter Jimmy Owens was my musical father and exposed me to so many aspects of Jazz. The innovative trumpeter Ralph Alessi was my teacher at the Eastman School of Music and he taught me how to captivate my own voice on the instrument and as an overall improviser.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
Playing my first professional album date with Steve Coleman when I was 19 was such a great experience as I would go on to work with so many great musicians on that recording like Ravi Coltrane, David Gilmore, Vijay Iyer and among others.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I learned that we each have two ears, two eyes and one mouth for a reason. The late great trumpeters Joe Shepley, Virgil Jones and Burt Collins, enlightened me to listen more and talk less when I was in my early-mid 20s in the late piano and composition maestro, Mike Longo’s Band…not just conversation but musically as well. I miss those maestros and jokers!
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now?
I just released my 2nd album called ‘En Motion’ with Ropeadope Records. The music created was inspired by the music I was listening to while growing up in New York City. Growing up over the last two decades of the 20th Century, Black music developed and I was able to visually and aurally observe this development via the radio, live concerts and dance clubs. During the pandemic, I reflected on the music that inspired me to want to pursue music as my livelihood. I wanted to create tracks that captured those sounds and emotions.
We are very interested in diversity in the entertainment industry. Can you share three reasons with our readers about why you think it’s important to have diversity represented in film and television? How can that potentially affect our culture?
1. America is all about diversity, film and television should be a reflection of that.
2. Stories from all races have themes and messages that can inspire all of us.
3. Creative projects should feature people of all races, genders and sexual orientation.
Understanding and Empathy would illuminate in our culture and society
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
At a younger age, I wish
1. I was more into electronic music.
2. I was more involved in financial investments.
3. I learned more instruments.
4. I was more involved in the nuances of the music business.
5. I wish I delved more into world music.
Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”?
My main tip is to delve into other interests and use how you developed your own voice as a musician to distinguish yourself from others within your other interests.
Also, write your goals and vision down, look at them as much as you can to manifest.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
I would inspire others to study and learn the history of ethnicities OTHER than your own. Once again, Empathy and Understanding will resonate much more within you.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
My musical father Jimmy Owens has been a major influence for me as a musician, a businessman and a family man. He is always dropping knowledge every time I see him.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Do What You Love, Love What You Do
Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
I would love to sit down with Quincy Jones. He is a major influence and hero of mine because of his artistic versatility. The memories and lessons he would share would be priceless.
How can our readers follow you online?
My website is www.nabateisles.com
Follow me on
As well my podcast, featuring Hall of Fame caliber athletes and legendary creative artists as well, Whe’re They At
This was very meaningful, thank you so much! We wish you continued success!
