Brandee Younger

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Brandee Younger
Brandee Younger.png
Younger at the NoMad Jazz Festival in 2025
Background information
Born (1983-07-01) July 1, 1983 (age 42)
Origin Hempstead, New York, US
Genres Jazz, classical, pop
Occupation(s)Harpist, composer, educator
Instrument Harp
Years active2006–present
Website www.brandeeyounger.com
Brandee Younger, Detroit International Jazz Festival by Marek Lazarski Brandee Younger,.jpg
Brandee Younger, Detroit International Jazz Festival by Marek Lazarski

Brandee Younger (born July 1, 1983) [1] [2] is an American harpist, composer, and educator.

Contents

Early life and education

Younger was born and raised in Hempstead, New York. She developed an early interest in music, leading her to pursue undergraduate degrees in Harp Performance and Music Management at The Hartt School of Music in West Hartford, Connecticut. She later earned a Master of Music degree at New York University (NYU) Steinhardt. [3]

Career

2006–2015: Early career and collaborations

Throughout her early career, Younger worked with a diverse range of artists across genres, including Pharoah Sanders, Ravi Coltrane, Jack DeJohnette, Common, John Legend, Cassie The Roots, and Lauryn Hill. Her work helped redefine the role of the harp in contemporary jazz, hip-hop, and popular music.

Younger made her public debut in 2007 as a grad student at NYU, when saxophonist Ravi Coltrane enlisted the then-23-year-old to participate in the memorial service for his mother Alice.

2016–2019: Solo projects and recognition

In 2016, Younger released Wax & Wane, showcasing her innovative approach to the harp. [4] This was followed by Soul Awakening in 2019, which was met with critical acclaim for blending jazz, soul, and spiritual influences. [5]

In 2019, Younger's original composition "Hortense" was featured Beyoncé's [6] Netflix concert documentary Homecoming. The recording used was from an NPR Music Field recording released in 2013. [7]

2020–present: Major label debut and historic achievements

In 2020, Younger released Force Majeure, a duo album with bassist Dezron Douglas recorded during the COVID-19 lockdown, praised for its intimacy and spontaneity.

Her major label debut, Somewhere Different, arrived in 2021 via Impulse! Records. [8] The album earned her a 2022 Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental Composition for "Beautiful Is Black," [9] making her the first Black woman nominated in that category.

In 2023, she released Brand New Life, an album paying tribute to harpist Dorothy Ashby, [10] while continuing to push the instrument forward. The album won the 2024 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Album. [11]

Younger's contributions have cemented her as a leading force in contemporary jazz, known for her ability to bridge genres and expand the possibilities of the harp.

Educational contributions

Younger serves on the teaching artist faculty at New York University and The New School College of Performing Arts. [12] She has conducted master classes and residencies at institutions such as Howard University, University of Michigan, Berklee College of Music, Tulane University, and Princeton University.

Awards and honors

Personal life

Younger is the cousin of urban farmer and MacArthur Fellow Will Allen, and Jordan Younger, former cornerback of the Toronto Argonauts.

Discography

As leader

Compilations

As sideperson/contributor

References

  1. ↑ "ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT: Happy birthday, Brandee Younger! We can't wait to see you next month at the Fort". @newportjazzfest. Instagram. 2024-07-01. Retrieved 2025-04-18.
  2. ↑ "Brandee Younger". Jazz Empowers. Retrieved 2025-04-18.
  3. ↑ "Brandee Younger | NYU Steinhardt". Steinhardt.nyu.edu. Retrieved 2025-02-01.
  4. ↑ "Brandee Younger a Harpist Finding Her Way to Jazz". The New York Times . Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Brandee Younger Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & ..." AllMusic . Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé (2019): Soundtracks". IMDb.
  7. ↑ Jarenwattananon, Patrick (June 6, 2013). "Brandee Younger: Taxidermy, Two-Headed Skeletons And Jazz Harp". NPR.
  8. ↑ Peacock, Tim (2021-06-30). "Brandee Younger Announces Impulse! Debut, 'Somewhere Different'". uDiscover Music. Retrieved 2025-02-01.
  9. ↑ "Brandee Younger | Artist". Grammy.com. Retrieved 2025-02-01.
  10. ↑ America, Good Morning. "Harpist Brandee Younger's new album honors trailblazer Dorothy Ashby". Good Morning America. Retrieved 2025-02-01.
  11. ↑ Schube, Will (2024-03-13). "Brandee Younger Earns NAACP Image Award For 'Outstanding Jazz Album'". uDiscover Music. Retrieved 2025-02-01.
  12. ↑ "Brandee Younger | College of Performing Arts". Newschool.edu. Retrieved 2025-02-01.
  13. ↑ "Brandee Younger | Doris Duke Foundation". Ddaa.dorisduke.org. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
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