The Checkout from WBGO is proud to present the world premiere of VENUS, featuring Samora Pinderhughes with J. Period, this Thursday at (Le) Poisson Rouge.
Pinderhughes is the embodiment of a modern musician. A pianist and composer who dwells heavily in the jazz tradition, he also seeks out other forms of expression, most recently as a singer-songwriter. This spring he debuted some of the songs from VENUS during a session in our studio, and talked about the inspiration behind the suite.
Though still in his mid-20s, Pinderhughes has already reinvented himself several times over. Each avenue of expression feels organic and true, whether he’s presenting The Transformations Suite, an original work inspired by protest movements; helping organize a Blackout Black Friday event; composing a score for a documentary film about concussions in the NFL; or performing with August Greene, a jazz/R&B/pop outfit featuring rapper Common, pianist Robert Glasper, and drummer Karriem Riggins.
On this Checkout podcast, Pinderhughes takes another bold turn, declaring to the world that he's ready as a singer-songwriter. And it's clear that this may be the best vessel for combining his passions. Here is his in-studio solo performance of one of the songs from VENUS, a contemplative ballad called "The Truth."
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Audio mix: Corey Goldberg
Videographer: Chris Tobin