Marcus Roberts says music is communion on new album

A new album from the Cincinnati Pops pays homage to one of America’s most significant cultural movements with pianist Marcus Roberts and works from Harlem Renaissance-era heavy hitters: Duke Ellington, James P. Johnson, W. C. Handy, and Cab Calloway.

Roberts spoke at length about blending tradition and innovation, saying tradition is like your grandmother’s recipe that still nourishes you; innovation is what you to do survive your own generation’s circumstances. He says music is born from community and necessity, and that music is communion.

He also tells us that jazz musicians and classical musicians should collaborate more, saying “jazz is a music that invites everyone to come in. You don’t have to come out of the conservatory environment, you don’t have to necessarily be able to read music. [There are] many ways that you can get in and be part of this great community. That’s really what the American democratic system is…”

Harlem Renaissance, the Cincinnati Pops’ new record conducted by John Morris Russell, featuring Marcus Roberts, The Marcus Roberts Trio, and Modern Jazz Generation is out now on all streaming platforms. Listen to the record below, or tune in to Crossfade every weekday at 4pm on 90.5 WUOL to hear music like this – from this album and beyond.