Music

Jesse Fischer, Ajoyo, Todd Clouser with Dred Scott

AjoyoJesse FischerTodd Clouser with Dred Scott

About Jesse Fischer, Ajoyo, Todd Clouser with Dred Scott


For Brooklyn-based pianist/composer/producer Jesse Fischer, the simplest things are best — a catchy melody, a heartfelt lyric, an irresistible groove. Jesse's music easily crosses boundaries between jazz, soul, pop, indie, electronic, and folk. But what draws his eclectic influences together is that Jesse always plays and creates from the heart. It's his passion for music and the moment, and ability to tap directly into the emotional content of every song that makes him such a sought-after arranger, accompanist, and bandleader.

A triple threat as musician, engineer, and producer, Jesse has recorded six albums as a bandleader with his own group, most recently the ObliqSound release Retro Future. His warm, soulful touch, and bold, spacious compositions have earned him three SoulTracks Award nominations and most recently was an Independent Music Award finalist. His music has been played by tastemakers such as the BBC's Gilles Peterson and KCRW's Anthony Valadezand Garth Trinidad, as well as appearing on television shows including"Criminal Minds" (CBS), "Franklin & Bash" (TNT), and "Model City" (BET). He is currently working on his seventh album, Day Dreamer, as well as producing and engineering records from alto saxophonist Godwin Louis, trombonist Matthew Hartnett, singer-songwriter May Cheung, and hip-hop band Exact Change Project.


AJOYO is the vision of multi-reed player Yacine Boularès, a mystic brew blending African tradition, jazz and soul. More than music, it's a joyful ceremony, a fuller experience bringing musicians and audience close together. AJOYO chants in the name of Tony Allen, Oum Khalsoum, Charlie Parker and Donnie Hathaway. Stomping towards you in the eye of the dancer, arms open, horns, bell and bass interwoven like the fabric of a ceremonial dress, AJOYO speaks the language of the talking drum with a New York accent.

Originally from Tunisia in North Africa (by way of Paris), Yacine Boularès has played sax, composed and arranged music for Cameroonian musicians such as former Fela Kuti drummer Jojo Kuo, for the late Martino Atangana, for the Haitian Kompa legends Tabou Combo, and for Placido Domingo's latest album Encanto Del Mar.

The project originated in these encounters and influences, as Yacine assembled a band that reconciles his North African and Western heritages. AJOYO celebrates life, love and justice through music: music for the heart, the mind and the body, the kind that is soulful, sophisticated and that makes people want to dance.

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