Our Review of Najee – Live at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston | by Susan Mutharia
Najee Live at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston | Oct. 9th, 2010
It was during a radio show called ‘Sundowner’ back in Kenya that I first heard Najee. He was featured in the song All I’ll Ever Ask by Freddie Jackson. Like many young girls, I started daydreaming of my first dance as a bride, the song playing in the background and gorgeous imaginary man starring at my eyes with love. A fan and fantasy were born that evening. I’m all grown up now, still big fan of Najee, and as for the fantasy – well if you told me I would be the girl at the wedding dancing to Beyonce’s All The Single Ladies while dodging the bouquet, I’d have branded you a hater.
Fortunately, life dealt me a better hand as a fan. On October 9th at Scullers Jazz Club, Boston, I not only got to watch the Grammy nominated artist perform live but also got a chance to sit and chat with him. Najee and his band put up an amazing performance. I was surprised, being the last of three shows at the venue, that they were still vibrant and energetic – an energy that could be felt throughout the room. Some of the songs in his playlist included Sweet Summer Nights, Tokyo Blues, Sweet Love and Spain. There were many breathtaking moments during the show, but it was the performance of Noah’s Ark that left us breathless and giving a standing ovation. He wrote the song when his son Noah was born and has played the song for many heads of state including President Clinton. Throughout the show, he engaged his audience allowing them to sing along as he played and by the time he performed the last song of the night I’ll Be There, even the jazz cynics like my sister who I had tagged along, had been turned into fans. Thanks to Najee, she now owns her first jazz album Mind Over Matter.
After autographs and photographs, Najee took a few minutes to speak to me!
(Susan M. and Najee!)
Me: This is such an honor for me
Najee: Thank you
Me: I’ve been listening to you for a long time. I was just telling Terrill that one of my favorite songs is ‘All I’ll Ever Ask’…
Najee: With Freddie Jackson. We played it in our first set. You should have yelled it out; We would have played it for you.
Me: That’s my wedding song! I’m still waiting and looking for a groom but at least I have a song.
Najee: (Laughter) Good for you!
Me: Tell me, you have played and worked with so many phenomenal artists. Is there anyone still in your wish list?
Najee: You know, everybody I thought I wanted to work with I have worked with. At one point I wanted to work with Prince. I went out to do one record with him and it ended up being three years on tour. I have worked with Chaka; I started my career with Chaka Khan. I had the opportunity to work with Quincy Jones, just worked with him this past summer. The only person who is not here is Michael.
Me: Michael Jackson?
Najee: Yes, would have loved to work with him.
Me: For sure! You’ll have to pick someone else in the Jackson family.
Najee: Yes, maybe Janet.
Me: You were in School in Boston with your brother Fareed?
Najee: Yes.
Me: Tell me about Boston…
Najee: We were here for about five years, it was a struggle. We had to figure out a way to pay for school and rent but ultimately it was a great blessing. It was not until we got back to New York that we were able to really make it. It was hard for us but we took a lot of lessons from here.
Me: Scullers Jazz Club is a home for many artists including one of my favorites Chris Botti. Is this the first time playing at Scullers?
Najee: No, I have been here several times.
Me: Who would you say has really influenced your life as an artist?
Najee: Oh gosh, I have had so many. As a saxophonist, I would probably say John Coltrane, Grover Washington, Michael Brecker to name a few. On the flute Hubert Laws, James Galway, so there isn’t really one person but different people help shape who you are.
Me: How do you give back to society?
Najee: I do several things. I go to colleges, I do lot of charity stuff. I am the winner of the NAACP award image award helping schools.
Me: I read on your website that you are planning to release your first DVD & CD?
Najee: Yes, we did it already. We did it two weeks ago in New York.
Me: How was that?
Najee: It was excellent. It was in Charles Music Hall, great experience. It will probably be out in the summer of 2011.
Me: Tell me about your new album?
Najee: Mind Over Matter is done very well. I have Jeff Lorber on there, great R&B singer and songwriter Gary Taylor is on there and also Eric Benet is on there.
Me: mmmh Eric Benet, mmmh…
Najee: (laughing) oh yeah, he is on there.
Me: Are you still on tour?
Najee: Tonight is our last night. I have two more dates with Will Downing in a few weeks and then we’ll be done for the year.
Me: Will Downing? Oh my God. I wonna go!
Najee: Yes. It will be in Atlanta and New York in a couple weeks.
Me: Thank you so much for taking time to talk to me. Will you play at my wedding if I can ever get a groom?
Najee: (Laughing). Absolutely, I shall play for you.
Me: Thank you so much
Najee: Always welcome.