Najee Dishes on Miles Davis, Eric Benet and Disdain for Grammy Snub

In
a fickle industry where longevity is not the norm, saxophonist and jazz
master Najee has produced 10 albums throughout his two-decade career.
The New York native debuts his newest masterpiece, Mind Over Matter, Aug. 25. –kimberly walker

The album’s title, Mind Over Matter, was inspired by Miles Davis, right?
I was just using him as an example in an interview concerning how he
takes a very simple melody and fills in the harmonious support to
validate that melody. But of course, Miles Davis has been an
inspiration to most modern musicians. He was a trendsetter.  

The album sounds upbeat and fun. Was that your intention?
My overall intent was to create a friendly album. I don’t try to make
records that I think are going to be critically acclaimed. I just do a
record that the people will enjoy, and one that I will enjoy doing as
well.

Which songs can fellas use to help set the mood?
There’s a song called ‘Love Forever and a Day After.’ I would also say
‘Moon over Carolina.’ Gary Taylor just has that voice that goes
straight to the heart. 

What are your thoughts on jazz today?
As musicians and artists, we’ve explored so much, but we need to find a
new conversation to be taken seriously with the media. What’s
unfortunate and very disheartening to me as an artist is that we don’t
even get recognized at the Grammys on television. To me, jazz is such a
major contribution to the industry and to put that aside for the
non-special part of the Grammys is not good.  

Eric Benet is on ‘We Gone Ride.’ How’d that come about?
When he had the group Benet, we were label mates. Ever since that time,
we’ve remained friends and over the years we kept saying that we were
going to do a record. Finally, last year I said, ‘Look man, it’s about
time that we do this.’