Ambrose Akinmusire Origami Harvest
In recent years, Ambrose Akinmusire, has been one of the most interesting and personal musicians on the American jazz scene.
Since his debut in 2008, he has created a unique expression, both through composition and trumpet play, as well as becoming a highly sought after sideman for everyone from artists like Esperanza Spalding to Wolfgang Muthspiel.
In 2018 he released the album Origami Harvest, a daring and successful piece of art woven by string quartet, piano, drums, piano and rap. Rapper Nappy Nina contributes to the music with a lyrical commentary on African-American reality of todays America. In addition to being an artistic masterpiece, the record is also a political commentary. It's all done elegantly and with a groovy sound, while still feeling relevant and important at the same time.
“Ambrose Akinmusire is constantly looking for new ways to express herself and, with Origami Harvest, is able to unite widely different musical expressions in a device that feels like hip and chamber music at once."
– Los Angeles Times
Ambrose Akinmusire – trumpet; Nappy Nina – vocals; Sam
Harris – piano/keyboards; Kweku Sumbry – drums.
Mivos String Quartet: Maya Bennardo – violin; Olivia DePrato – violin,
Victor Lowrie – viola, Tyler Borden – cello.