"There isn't a young musician with more buzz at the moment than Glasper... His trio deserves comparison with the best of the newer piano trios, those led by Jason Moran, Bill Charlap and Brad Mehldau... his group has its own crisp, skittering cooperation, with hip hop in its bounce." - The New York Times

Having made a name for himself in both jazz & hip hop circles (working with everyone from Terence Blanchard, Wallace Roney & Roy Hargrove to DJ Val, Q-Tip & Mos Def), the 27-year old pianist Robert Glasper steps forward with his major label debut, CANVAS, which was released October 4 on Blue Note Records, and his first-ever appearance at New Village Vanguard on November 1st through 6th. Glasper's trio includes bassist Vicente Archer and drummer Damion Reid

CANVAS presents Glasper as a new voice to be reckoned with threefold: as a pianist, as a composer, and as one-third of a bright young trio with bassist Vicente Archer & drummer Damion Reid that Ben Ratliff of The New York Times has said "deserves comparison with the best of the newer piano trios, those led by Jason Moran, Bill Charlap and Brad Mehldau." Tenor saxophonist Mark Turner and vocalist Bilal make guest appearances as well.

Robert Glasper was raised in Houston, Texas. His mother was his first and strongest musical influence. Mrs. Glasper not only played piano and sang gospel music in the family's church, she led a band that worked the city's jazz and blues club circuit as well. By the age of twelve, young Robert was playing piano in that church. "Gospel music is built on emotion and spirituality; you go to church and leave crying," he smiles. "It definitely just gave me that sensitivity and knowing how to reach people and knowing how to be in tune with your feelings and the emotion of the music. My thing is, it helps me relate to the audience 'cause they're gonna give you what you give them. When you bring the crowd into your world, you can do anything you want."

By the time he reached adolescence, Robert knew his destiny was to be a jazz musician. He was accepted to the Houston's famed High School for the Performing Arts ("Jason Moran went there before me."). Post-graduation, Glasper enrolled at New School University in Manhattan. Soon after arrival, he hooked up with future bandmember Reid and vocalist Bilal, an old schoolmate. As an undergrad, Glasper gigged with Christian McBride, Russell Malone and Kenny Garrett. Professional life after the New School was even sweeter: stints with Nicholas Payton, Roy Hargrove, Terence Blanchard, Carmen Lundy, and Carly Simon.

The Bilal connection brought the pianist back to hip-hop. Glasper's contributions to Bilal's debut and subsequent tour brought him to the attention of Q-Tip (A Tribe Called Quest). "Tip would come hang out at my shows, and one day he called me and said, 'I'm doing this tour and I need you to play keys. Can you do it?'"� He's also since played with Mos Def, and is featured prominently on Bilal's forthcoming sophomore release.

In 2003, Glasper's first album Mood was released on indie label Fresh Sound New Talent, and two years later, Blue Note came calling. At Blue Note, Glasper joins a jazz piano legacy that stretches back to 1939, beginning with Albert Ammons and Meade Lux Lewis, and continuing through Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Andrew Hill, Cecil Taylor, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Jacky Terrasson, Jason Moran and Bill Charlap. Undaunted, Glasper reflects, "I'm just happy to be a part of the Blue Note family and its rich history."

For directions and details, visit the Village Vanguard website at: www.villagevanguard.net.