(The Root) — It's not often in today's music landscape that a trumpeter grabs headlines, but Christian aTunde Adjuah, the horn player who until recently was known as Christian Scott, brings a fresh vibe to timeless instrumentals. Scott has already garnered the Netherlands' Edison Award for best international jazz musician, as well as a Grammy nomination, for his trumpeting chops — and the 29-year-old from New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward doesn't appear to be slowing down.
Adjuah got his start with the help of his saxophonist uncle, Donald Harrison, who enlisted his then-13-year-old nephew to join his band. The talent undoubtedly rubbed off. With four studio albums under his belt, Scott has recently taken to late-night TV to showcase his jazz talents, appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live, and belting notes out alongside the Roots on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. Scott is also set to perform at the famed New York jazz venue Blue Note later this month.
The trumpeter's latest release, the double album Christian aTunde Adjuah, may represent his most intimate set of tracks to date. "Scott doesn't shy away from weighty titles fraught with political and personal significance," NPR's Patrick Jarenwattananon said about the effort. And with tracks covering issues from violent rapes in Sudan to Trayvon Martin, the release is wrought with powerful messages delivered with a robust yet melodic brass sound.
Check out Adjuah on Sirius Radio's Sway in the Morning. And visit the trumpeter's website for album info, clips and more.
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