Gizmo "Red Balloon" Album Release Tour with DJ Raydar Ellis
Opening bands: Nick Hakim + Joy Daniels
Most musicians wait a lifetime to share stages with their musical heroes. Hoping to accomplish such a feat while still racking up college credits would be considered nothing more than a pipe dream. But having performed with such esteemed artists as Meshell Ndegeocello, Talib Kweli, and Victor Wooten as well as serving as music director for such acclaimed artists as Bilal and Lalah Hathaway, it’s safe to say that 21-year-old bassist Kenneth “Gizmo” Rodgers has been living that dream for quite some time now. With a wealth of experience that belies his years touting a vast array of musical influences spanning the realms of jazz, pop, funk, rock, Latin, and hip-hop, Gizmo is set to unveil his debut sonic masterpiece Red Balloon. Produced by bassist Derrick Hodge (Robert Glasper Experiment, Kanye West, Common) with glints of spoken word and soul, Red Balloon is a wondrous 13-track odyssey through the multi-faceted human experience.
“When you see a little kid let a balloon go at a carnival, everybody kind of looks up at it as it floats away,” explains Gizmo of the project’s captivating central theme. “The balloon seems to float around, trying to find its way. I feel like that’s how most people are. We’re all trying to figure out who we are, what we want to do, and what we stand for. All striving to be special, loved, or valued in some kind of way. And everybody’s kind of watching you as you float around this life. But if the pressure gets too high, it pops at some point.” A labor of love recorded over the course of three years in Boston between gigs and classes at Berklee College of Music, the deeply personal album features an impressive cast of thousands including Casey Benjamin of the Robert Glasper Experiment, accomplished pianist/ Berklee professor George Russell, Jr, Downbeat magazine Rising Star drummer Jamire Williams and more.
Buttressed by the contributions of a vibrant collective of mentors, colleagues, and classmates, Red Balloon stands firmly as a dynamic undertaking by a promising young artist. Coalesced by Gizmo’s own unique talent, it is a brazen statement from a new cadre of artists seeking to meld their formal jazz training with new sounds and modalities. It’s clear that Gizmo and Red Balloon are representative of this group of artists in a chapter of change with an allegiance to the groove. “I definitely see it as a movement,” says Gizmo. “It all stems from the idea of going with the moment. I’ve been struggling what to call my music, and I really don’t know what to say. To me, in my heart, I feel like it’s jazz - although we’re not swinging. Some people might say it’s alternative because I have some pop and some dubstep influences on there as well. But I feel like I’m just trying to make honest music, not doing something just because it’s in style. I just let me influences fly free. It wasn’t a conscious thought; it’s just naturally what’s inside me. There’s just so much music in the world. But underneath all that, there’s a solid groove.”
Get tickets: http://ticketf.ly/Q9mFaN
Reviews:
Okayplayer: http://www.okayplayer.com/news/gizmo-red-balloon-video-revivalist-album.html
BETCentric: http://blogs.centrictv.com/music/soulsessions/subcentric-gizmo-ft-nick-hakim-lift-me-up-video/
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Nick Hakim is a singer/songwriter from Washington D.C. playing venues around Boston and New York such as Yes.Oui.Si Art Gallery (Opening up for Emily King), Rockwood Music Hall & Le Poisson Rouge. Hakim and his band have been cultivating their sound in preparation for his record to be released in 2012. Hakim’s diverse musical upbringing reflects his creative intuitiveness as a musician and writer. He has collaborated with various artists such as Adrianne Lenker, Gizmo, and Jessica Johnson.
Bring it on home (cover): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04lf5dK9E-k&playnext=1&list=PL12FBA47FA4D22985&feature=results_video
Cold: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ljwvkj7NK4
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Joy has a huge fan base in Boston, and has slowly poured her talent into the ears of New Yorkers and beyond. With an unusual and eclectic mix of soul, hip hop and rock, this amazing singer/songwriter offers listeners a musicality far beyond her years. Her music is beautifully constructed lyrically and musically to explore the complexities of the human spirit. Recently, Joy has channeled her creativity into a new live project called Serenity Tree. Serenity Tree includes Joy's long time producer Harold 'Level Soundz' Shawn & guitarist Corey Sanchez. Joy has mixed digital & analog with a trio that includes live sampling, amazing vocals & clever arrangements.
The official video of her song Catch 22 under her new project Serinty Tree captures an amazing live-performance feel. Joy also released a live performance video of Coldplay's Yellow & has recieved over 25,000 views in 3 weeks.
Listen to catch 22: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odpx1MZuZ0A