New Faces of Jazz — Sharp Radway: Pianist, Composer, and Arranger
Sharp Radway is a pianist/composer/arranger/author who is a native of Hartford, Connecticut, and currently resides in Brooklyn, New York. He remains in demand throughout the country and abroad. He is a protégé of Dr. Randy Weston. Sharp is a formidable and seasoned bandleader, heading various groups of his own (ie. his quintet, quartet, trio, Music Of The Streets, Sharp Radway’s Gospel Jazz Group, Sharp Radway’s Big Band, and various vocal and instrumental duos.) Sharp has worked with several Jazz luminaries and forefathers of the genre. Among them are Yusef Lateef, Benny Golson, Red Holloway, Slide Hampton, Curtis Fuller, James Spaulding, Louis Hayes, Candido Camero, Benny Powell, Eddie Henderson, Hamiet Bluiett, Peewee Ellis, Steve Turre, Fred Wesley, Frank Lacy, Kiane Zawadi, Bucky Pizzarelli, Diane Schuur, Joe Lee Wilson, Kevin Mahogany, Nnenna Freelon, Greg Bandy, Ben Dixon, Winard Harper, Leopoldo Fleming, Russell Gunn, Nicolas Payton, and Randy Brecker and many more. He served as music director, pianist, and arranger for The Celebration of Lionel Hampton Big Band and The New York City Ska Orchestra. In addition to playing the piano, he is also a prolific composer and arranger. More on Sharp Radway
The music on KUVO never stops, thankfully. The nature of these creative compositions and compelling collaborations is growth and re-invention, re-interpretation, and the quest for things altogether new and never heard before.
Jazz Appreciation Month comes along at just the right time. Spring is the time for new life, to replace the giant trees felled by age and virus. Not to put too much pressure on the young artists headed our way, but we’re counting on them to get us out of the grief and negative funk we’re in. Too much death. Too much sorrow. Lost memories and dear friends departed. Jazz folks are ready for what’s next in music, NOW MORE THAN EVER!
In April 2022, KUVO marks Jazz Appreciation Month by highlighting a few of the “New Faces of Jazz,” however you wish to describe this music. Every few days we’ll dig into the shallow catalogs of the up-and-comers who are coming on strong with musical ideas birthed from the soil loosely called “Jazz.”
We hope you will reach out to KUVO with YOUR favorite new artists because honestly, try as we might, we haven’t heard them all. Hit us up on any of our social media channels or text:
- Instagram: jazz89kuvo
- Twitter: @KUVOJazz
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jazz89kuvo
- Email: studio@kuvo.org
- Text: 303.291.0666
In the meantime, KUVO Jazz hosts (and the hosts of other formats on KUVO) will sound a little younger, and a little more adventurous during April. Because we’re depending on the next wave. Join us won’t you?
For more ways to celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month and for more resources, visit the Smithsonian Institution’s official JAM website at American History Smithsonian/Jazz Appreciation Month.
Picture credit: East New York News
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