Biography
Brandee Younger is a pioneering American jazz harpist born and raised on Long Island, New York. Immersed in music from a young age, she sang in church choirs and studied classical harp, taking her early inspiration from both the French Impressionist and Baroque traditions. However, her artistic vision expanded dramatically as a teenager when her father introduced her to the music of Alice Coltrane, whose innovative approach to the harp in jazz became a defining influence on Younger's career.
Younger has become one of the most celebrated jazz harpists of her generation, following in the footsteps of Alice Coltrane and Dorothy Ashby while forging her own path. Since her debut with the EP 'Prelude' in 2011, she has developed a distinctive style that blends jazz with classical, R&B, hip-hop, and spirituals, earning critical acclaim as a composer, bandleader, and collaborator. Her versatility has led her to perform with jazz legends such as Jack DeJohnette, Pharoah Sanders, Reggie Workman, and Ravi Coltrane, as well as contribute to recordings by artists across genres, including Beyoncé, Lauryn Hill, Stevie Wonder, and The Roots.
In addition to her performing and recording career, Younger is an educator, serving on the faculty at New York University. Her work has helped redefine the harp's role in contemporary jazz, inspiring a new generation of musicians and expanding the instrument's expressive possibilities. She is a Grammy and NAACP Image Award nominee, and her ongoing projects continue to honor and amplify the legacies of her musical forebears while charting new territory for the jazz harp.
Fun Facts
- Brandee Younger was invited by Ravi Coltrane to perform at Alice Coltrane's 2007 memorial service, where she played alongside Charlie Haden and Geri Allen.
- She has played Alice Coltrane's own harp and received a special ornate gift from John Coltrane.
- Younger is one of the few contemporary harpists to regularly cross over into hip-hop and R&B, recording with artists like Beyoncé and The Roots.
- She often clears her head by walking in Central Park and listening to Alice Coltrane’s 'Transfigurations'.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Jackie McLean - Encouraged Younger to pursue a career as a jazz harpist and mentored her early on. (General career mentorship) [Early 2000s]
- Alice Coltrane - Major stylistic and spiritual influence; Younger studied Coltrane's music intensively and performed at her memorial service. (Performed 'Blue Nile' and other Coltrane compositions; tribute performances) [2000s–present]
- Dorothy Ashby - Pioneering jazz harpist whose straight-ahead jazz style influenced Younger's approach. (Incorporated Ashby's works into her repertoire) [2000s–present]
- Ravi Coltrane - Mentor and collaborator; guided Younger in blending spiritual, jazz, and classical elements. (Collaborative performances, including Alice Coltrane tributes) [2010s–present]
Key Collaborators
- Dezron Douglas - Frequent collaborator and husband; perform and record together regularly. (Joint albums and live performances) [2010s–present]
- Ravi Coltrane - Collaborated on tributes to Alice Coltrane and other jazz projects. (Alice Coltrane memorial service, live performances) [2007–present]
- Pharoah Sanders - Performed together in jazz ensembles and tributes. (Live performances, collaborative projects) [2010s]
- Jack DeJohnette - Featured in his band and collaborative jazz projects. (Live performances) [2010s]
- Lauryn Hill, Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder, The Roots, Common, John Legend, Makaya McCraven, Moses Sumney - Contributed harp to recordings and live performances across genres. (Various albums and performances) [2010s–present]
Artists Influenced
- Emerging jazz harpists and students - Younger’s innovative approach and teaching at NYU have inspired a new generation of jazz harpists. (Student performances, contemporary jazz harp recordings) [2010s–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Resavoir | 2019-06-28 | Album |
| Gadabout Season | 2025-06-13 | Album |
| Brand New Life | 2023-04-07 | Album |
| Somewhere Different | 2021-08-13 | Album |
| Universal Beings | 2018-10-26 | Album |
| Reflection Of Another Self | 2025-05-16 | Album |
| Force Majeure | 2020-12-04 | Album |
| Gilles Peterson presents International Anthem | 2025-06-17 | Album |
| Talk Memory | 2021-10-08 | Album |
Top Tracks
- BBL (Gadabout Season)
- Unswept Corners - Ambient Mix
- Olivia Benson (Somewhere Different)
- Taking Flight (feat. Brandee Younger) (Resavoir)
- Reflection Eternal
- Dreamful Love Story
- Taking Flight (Resavoir)
- You're A Girl For One Man Only (Brand New Life)
- End Means (feat. Shabaka) (Gadabout Season)
- Brand New Life (feat. Mumu Fresh) (Brand New Life)
External Links
Tags: #contemporary-jazz, #jazz, #soul-jazz
References
Heard on WWOZ
Brandee Younger has been played 20 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.