The Robert Glasper Experiment is one of the most incredible live bands in the world. A combination of pianist Robert Glasper‘s excellent skills as an arranger and his band’s flawless improvisational ability, the band is truly unique, mixing elements of jazz, hip hop, R&B, and alternative rock to create their own distinct sound. The Experiment are known for their interesting covers, using songs by Radiohead and Nirvana as launchpads for wild improvisation. Glasper is the centerpiece of the bandon piano and keyboards, but the rest of the band is just as mesmerizing, with Mark Colenburg on the drum kit, veteran studio musician Derrick Hodge on bass, and the unpredictable Casey Benjamin on vocoder, saxophone, and keytar.
The band’s multi-part, Grammy-award winning Black Radio series features a who’s-who of today’s soul and r&b legends, with stars like Erykah Badu, Snoop Dogg, Lupe Fiasco, Mos Def, Common, Jill Scott, Bilal, and Lalah Hathaway all making appearances on the successful project. The Experiment took the neo-soul movement of the late 90s and early 2000s and combined it with the progressive jazz of Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea, paving the way for a whole new era of crossover jazz artists like Kamasi Washington, Thundercat, and Terrace Martin. Of course, Glasper joined Washington, Thundercat, and Martin in the studio with Kendrick Lamar during the To Pimp A Butterfly sessions, helping add to the album’s authentic jazzy vibes.
Below, check out Glasper and his Experiment performing a full, improv-heavy set of music. The performance, recorded at Bumbershoot Music Lounge at KEXP Radio in Seattle, WA, finds the band in a particularly playful mood, stretching a mere three tracks over the thirty minute period. First up is “I Can’t Help It”, followed by “All Matter”, and then a psychedelic cover of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana brings the set to a close. Experience the unbridled improv of the Robert Glasper Experiment below, courtesy of the KEXP YouTube Page.
The Robert Glasper Experiment just released their new album, ArtScience, two weeks ago, and you can download the album here.