Blog
Transcendent Music Presents: Reflections
Your trusted source for insightful reviews and commentary about music that transcends... Transcendent music reflections seek to put you onto music and musicians you might not ordinarily be exposed to from mainstream media outlets. I like to showcase artists performing jazz, funk, blues, soul, hip-hop, R&B, house, electronic, and other less identifiable forms whom I have seen live in concert.
Nate Smith & Friends
by Trey Swinton
Published March 3, 2024
Nate Smith
On Sunday, January 21st, the virtuoso drummer, Nate Smith, graced The Hamilton Live stage in Washington DC. Nate Smith and Friends crisscrossed between genres—interweaving hip-hop, R&B, and jazz—demonstrating his seemingly infinite versatility on the drums. The performance was an exhilarating experience, and the music was transcendent!
I have had the great fortune of being able to see Nate Smith perform live several times. Interestingly, every time I have seen him perform, it has been like seeing him for the first time. Each time he performed with a different group of elite musicians; and every time, he did what seemed impossible, defying the laws of physics with his approach to playing the drums.
During this concert, Smith played with the ever-so-talented Kiefer on keyboard and Cartoons on bass. He also brought to the stage singer, Ms. Debórah Bond, and multi-instrumentalist, Tennishu, from the Jazz and Hip Hop group Butcher Brown. These exceptional artists contributed to a rich and dynamic concert led by band leader Nate Smith on the drums. One of my favorite songs they played was Nate Smith’s original track “Skip Step” from his 2017 album "Kinfolk: A Postcards From Everywhere."
Smith continues his Nate Smith and Friends tour, performing with various featured artists. At these shows, he’s playing a mix of his original songs, songs from his featured artists, and a few reimagined pop songs. In December 2023, Smith released his album, "Pocket Change 2: Mad Currency." Additionally, he is a member of the funk group The Fearless Flyers, who recently dropped a new album, "The Fearless Flyers IV." Smith also contributed to his friend Brittany Howard's latest album, “What Now.”
Watching and listening to Smith play drums is a master class that will leave you astonished. He is a legendary drummer, band leader, and go-to band member with a supreme musical talent. Links below to listen, follow, and support the percussion maestro and transcendent music of Nate Smith.
Ben Williams: 12th Annual Birthday Bash and Holiday Concert
by Trey Swinton
Published December 30, 2023
Ben Williams
On Wednesday, December 27th, Grammy award-winning bassist Ben Williams performed at his 12th Annual Birthday Bash and Holiday Concert at The Hamilton Live in Washington, DC. His music, influenced by jazz, R&B, gospel, and soul, is fun, thought-provoking, and transcendent.
In 2022, during the Christmas holiday period, I scoured the internet for a concert to attend in the Washington D.C. area. I found a Ben Williams Annual Birthday Bash and Holiday Concert promotion. Intrigued, I found videos of the bassist, composer, and vocalist performing and immediately bought a ticket to see this brother live. After thoroughly enjoying myself in 2022, I leaped at the opportunity to see him and his phenomenal band again in 2023 for the 12th annual event.
Ben Williams is a DC native and has hosted his birthday bash and holiday concert in the District, creating an annual opportunity to perform in front of a hometown audience and with some of his favorite local artists. This year, he featured vocalists Deborah Bond, Patrice Live, and Russel Taylor, who have incredible individual projects worth checking out. He also brought back the dynamic Baltimore native, sister, and brother saxophonists Ebban and Ephraim Dorsey, who are young jazz stars.
Williams announced upcoming projects that I highly encourage you to be on the lookout for. He expects to release a new album in 2024. Additionally, you can expect the release of a documentary film featuring songs from his upcoming album. The documentary is said to tell the story of social activism from the perspective of his parents, who worked as activists through their involvement in the black church and politics in Washington, DC. Links below to listen, follow, and support the amazing, transcendent music of Ben Williams.
A Jazz New Year's Eve: Jazzmeia Horn and Her Noble Force
by Trey Swinton
Published January 2, 2024
Jazzmeia Horn
On December 31st, the immensely talented Grammy-nominated jazz singer Jazzmeia Horn and her big band, Noble Force, graced The Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater stage in Washington, DC, with an inspiring New Year's Eve performance. The Empress, Jazzmeia Horn, is a powerfully dynamic vocal force. Her music, consisting of mind-bending vocals, intricate original compositions, and unique arrangements of classics, is transcendent.
When planning for New Year's Eve, I thought there was no better way to usher in the New Year than to attend a concert, and I was elated to see Jazzmeia Horn scheduled to perform live that evening. Having seen her magnanimous stage presence and vocal wondrousness on YouTube, seeing Horn perform live was the perfect choice. The show left me entertained by the incredible musical performance and inspired by the story of her journey to the artistic and professional freedom she has so industriously achieved. Furthermore, I was encouraged by her message to Strive.
The Texas native Jazzmeia Horn has toured the globe, sharing her artistic genius with audiences worldwide, earning numerous prestigious awards, and stunning listeners with her voice. Horn masterfully creates an elegant, fun, and even spiritual concert experience. Her unbelievable vocal range and remarkable ability to scat are just some of the thrilling frills you can expect from a Jazzmeia Horn performance.
Jazzmeia Horn's latest album, titled Dear Love, is a masterpiece featuring Her Noble Force big band. The big band jazz album, released under her own independent record label, Empress Legacy Records, is emblematic of how she bet on herself, submitting to her divine purpose and submitting to the unknown. Links below to listen, follow, and support the marvelous and transcendent music of Jazzmeia Horn.
