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

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 The Hartt School is the performing arts conservatory of the University of Hartford, a private university in West Hartford, Connecticut. Founded in 1920 by Julius Hartt and Moshe Paranov, Hartt has been part of the University of Hartford since it ...

of Music in West Hartford, Connecticut. She later earned a Master of Music degree at

New York University New York University (NYU) is a private university, private research university in New York City, New York, United States. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded in 1832 by Albert Gallatin as a Nondenominational ...

(NYU) Steinhardt.

Career

2006–2015: Early career and collaborations

Throughout her early career, Younger worked with a diverse range of artists across genres, including

Pharoah Sanders Pharoah Sanders (born Ferrell Lee Sanders; October 13, 1940 – September 24, 2022) was an American jazz saxophonist. Known for his overblowing, harmonic, and multiphonic techniques on the saxophone, as well as his use of "sheets of sound", San ...

, Ravi Coltrane,

Jack DeJohnette Jack DeJohnette (born August 9, 1942) is an American jazz drummer, pianist, and composer. Known for his extensive work as leader and sideman for musicians including Charles Lloyd (jazz musician), Charles Lloyd, Freddie Hubbard, Keith Jarrett, B ...

Common Common may refer to: As an Irish surname, it is anglicised from Irish Gaelic surname Ó Comáin. Places * Common, a townland in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland * Boston Common, a central public park in Boston, Massachusetts * Cambridge Com ...

John Legend John Roger Stephens (born December 28, 1978), known professionally as John Legend, is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He began his musical career working behind the scenes for other artists, playing piano on Lauryn Hill's " Every ...

, The Roots, and

Lauryn Hill Lauryn Noelle Hill (born May 26, 1975) is an American musician. She is celebrated as one of the most influential musical artists of her generation. Hill is credited with breaking barriers for female rappers, contributing to the popular music, m ...

. Her work helped redefine the role of the harp in contemporary jazz, hip-hop, and popular music. A student of jazz great Jackie McLean, 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 Alice may refer to: * Alice (name), most often a feminine given name, but also used as a surname Literature * Alice (''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland''), a character in books by Lewis Carroll * ''Alice'' series, children's and teen books by ...

2016–2019: Solo projects and recognition

In 2016, Younger released ''Wax & Wane'', showcasing her innovative approach to the harp. This was followed by ''Soul Awakening'' in 2019, which was met with critical acclaim for blending jazz, soul, and spiritual influences. In April 2019, Younger's original composition "Hortense" was featured Beyoncé's Netflix concert documentary ''

Homecoming Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni or other former members of an organization to celebrate the organization's existence. It is a tradition in many high schools, colleges, and churches in the United States and Canada. United St ...

.'' The recording used was from an

NPR National Public Radio (NPR) is an American public broadcasting organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with its NPR West headquarters in Culver City, California. It serves as a national Radio syndication, syndicator to a network of more ...

Music Field recording released in 2013.

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. The album earned her a 2022

Grammy The Grammy Awards, stylized as GRAMMY, and often referred to as The Grammys, are awards presented by The Recording Academy of the United States to recognize outstanding achievements in music. They are regarded by many as the most prestigious a ...

nomination for Best Instrumental Composition for "Beautiful Is Black," 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, while continuing to push the instrument forward. The album won the 2024

NAACP Image Award The NAACP Image Awards is an annual awards ceremony presented by the U.S.-based National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to honor outstanding performances in film, television, theatre, music, and literature. The over 40 ...

for Outstanding Jazz Album. 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

and

The New School College of Performing Arts The College of Performing Arts, is part of The New School, New York City, New York (state), NY. It was established in the fall of 2015 as part of major rebranding of the three performance arts colleges of The New School. The measure combined the M ...

. 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

* 2025: Doris Duke Artist Award recipient, recognizing exceptional achievement in jazz. * 2024:

winner for Outstanding Jazz Album for ''Brand New Life''. * 2023:

DownBeat ''DownBeat'' (styled in all caps) is an American music magazine devoted to "jazz, blues and beyond", the last word indicating its expansion beyond the jazz realm that it covered exclusively in previous years. The publication was established in 1 ...

Critics Poll winner in the “Miscellaneous Instrument” (harpist) category. * 2023: Jazz Music Awards nominee for Best Mainstream Artist and Best Mainstream Album for ''Somewhere Different''. * 2022:

Edison Award The Edison Award is an annual Dutch music prize awarded for outstanding achievements in the music industry. It is comparable to the American Grammy Award. The Edison award itself is a bronze replica of a statuette of Thomas Edison, designed by ...

winner for International Jazz Album for ''Somewhere Different''. * 2022:

nominee for Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental for ''Somewhere Different''. * 2022:

Grammy Award The Grammy Awards, stylized as GRAMMY, and often referred to as The Grammys, are awards presented by The Recording Academy of the United States to recognize outstanding achievements in music. They are regarded by many as the most prestigious ...

nominee for Best Instrumental Composition for “Beautiful Is Black”. * 2020:

Critics Poll winner in the "Rising Star" harpist category.

Personal life

Younger is the cousin of urban farmer and

MacArthur Fellow The MacArthur Fellows Program, also known as the MacArthur Fellowship and colloquially called the "Genius Grant", is a prize awarded annually by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to typically between 20 and 30 individuals workin ...

Will Allen, and Jordan Younger, former cornerback of the

Toronto Argonauts The Toronto Argonauts (officially the Toronto Argonaut Football Club and colloquially known as the Argos) are a professional Canadian football team based in Toronto, Ontario. The Argonauts compete in the East Division (CFL), East Division of t ...

Discography

As leader

*2011: ''Prelude'', Independent *2014: ''The Brandee Younger 4tet, Live at the Breeding Ground'', Independent *2016: ''Wax & Wane'', Independent / Revive Music *2019: ''Soul Awakening'', Independent *2020: ''Force Majeure,'' International Anthem *2021: ''Somewhere Different'', Impulse! *2023: ''Brand New Life'', Impulse! *2025: ''Gadabout Season'', Impulse!

Compilations

*2015: ''Supreme Sonacy'',

Blue Note Records Blue Note Records is an American jazz record label now owned by Universal Music Group and operated under Capitol Music Group. Established in 1939 by History of the Jews in Germany, German-Jewish emigrants Alfred Lion and Max Margulis, it deriv ...

/ Revive Music *2018: ''A Day In The Life: Impressions of Pepper'', Impulse!

As sideperson/contributor

*2006: ''Cassie'', Cassie *2007: ''

Finding Forever ''Finding Forever'' is the seventh studio album by Common, released on July 31, 2007, on GOOD Music and Geffen Records. Like Common's previous album, '' Be'' (2005), ''Finding Forever'' is primarily produced by GOOD Music label boss and fellow Ch ...

'',

*2008: ''In This Day'', E.J. Strickland *2008: ''Overdose On Life'', featuring

Drake Drake may refer to: Animals and creatures * A male duck * Drake (mythology), a term related to and often synonymous with dragon People and fictional characters * Drake (surname), a list of people and fictional characters with the family ...

, Mickey Factz, and

Travis McCoy Travis Lazarus "Travie" McCoy (born August 5, 1981) is an American rapper and singer-songwriter. He is the co-founder and lead vocalist of the rap rock band Gym Class Heroes, which he formed in 1997 with then-fellow teenager Matt McGinley, afte ...

from

Gym Class Heroes Gym Class Heroes was an American rap rock band from Geneva, New York. The group formed in 1997 when Travie McCoy met drummer Matt McGinley during their high school gym class. The band's music displays a wide variety of influences, including h ...

, Omen (record producer) *2009: ''Of Song'', Marcus Strickland *2009: ''Blending Times'', Ravi Coltrane *2012: ''Retox'', Lakecia Benjamin *2012: ''Moments'', Michael Campagna *2013: '' New York: A Love Story'', Mack Wilds *2013: ''Love in the Future'',

*2014: ''Face Forward'', Jeremy Pelt *2016: ''Everything's Beautiful'',

Robert Glasper Robert Andre Glasper (born April 5, 1978) is an American pianist, record producer, songwriter, and Arrangement, musical arranger. His music embodies numerous musical genres, primarily centered around jazz. Glasper has won five Grammy Awards from ...

Miles Davis Miles Dewey Davis III (May 26, 1926September 28, 1991) was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th century music, 20th-century music. Davis ado ...

*2016: ''The Dreaming Room'',

Laura Mvula Laura Mvula ( Douglas; born 23 April 1986) is a British singer. A native of Birmingham, England, Mvula gained experience as a member or leader of a cappella, jazz/ neo-soul and gospel groups and choirs. She was classically trained. In 2012, sh ...

*2016: ''Rebel/Find it Hard to Say'', Ms Lauryn Hill *2016: ''The Songbook Sessions: Ella Fitzgerald'',

Jane Monheit Jane Monheit (born November 3, 1977"Jane Monheit." ''Contemporary Musicians''. Vol. 33. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale, 2001. Retrieved via ''Biography in Context'' database, 2017-05-07.) is an American jazz and traditional pop singer. Early life Mo ...

*2017: '' Bringin' It'', Christian McBride Big Band *2017: ''Residente'',

Residente René Pérez Joglar (; born February 23, 1978), known professionally as Residente (often stylized as Resīdɛntə), is a Puerto Rican rapper, singer, songwriter and filmmaker. He is best known as one of the founders of the alternative rap ban ...

*2017: ''

Aromanticism Aromanticism is a romantic orientation characterized by experiencing little to no romantic attraction. The term "aromantic", colloquially shortened to "aro", refers to a person whose romantic orientation is aromanticism. It is distinct from, ...

'',

Moses Sumney Moses Sumney (born May 19, 1992) is an American singer-songwriter and actor. His self-recorded EP, ''Mid-City Island'', was released in 2014. He released another five-song EP in 2016, titled ''Lamentations''. His first full-length album, ''Aroma ...

*2018: ''Universal Beings'', Makaya McCraven *2018: ''Old Fashioned Gal'', Kat Edmonson *2019: ''Sex High'',

Salaam Remi Salaam Remi Gibbs (born May 14, 1972) is an American record producer. He is most known for producing material for close associates Nas, Amy Winehouse, and Jazmine Sullivan, but has also produced for other mainstream acts including Alicia Key ...

& James Fauntleroy *2019: ''Resavoir'', Resavoir *2019: ''Dreams, Fairytales, Fantasies'',

A$AP Ferg Darold Durard Brown Ferguson Jr. (born October 20, 1988), known professionally as FERG (previously A$AP Ferg ( /ˈeɪsæp/ ''AY-sap'')), is an American rapper from Harlem, New York City. He is a lead member of the hip hop collective ASAP Mob, f ...

Brent Faiyaz Christopher Brent Wood (born September 19, 1995), known professionally as Brent Faiyaz, is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer. Faiyaz rose to prominence following his guest performance alongside Shy Glizzy on GoldLink's ...

*2019: ''Poetry in Motion'', The Soul Rebels *2020: ''Dreamers Do'', Kat Edmonson *2020: ''I Think I'm Good'', Kassa Overall *2020: ''We're New Again'',

Gil Scott-Heron Gilbert Scott-Heron (April 1, 1949 – May 27, 2011) was an American Jazz poetry, jazz poet, singer, musician, and author known for his work as a spoken-word performer in the 1970s and 1980s. His collaborative efforts with musician Brian Jackso ...

, Makaya McCraven *2020: ''Pursuance: The Coltranes'', Lakecia Benjamin *2020: Græ,

*2020: ''Harmony'',

Josh Groban Joshua Winslow Groban (born February 27, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and actor. His first four solo albums have been certified multi-platinum, and he was charted in 2007 as the number-one best selling artist in the United States, ...

*2020: ''Lagos and Pepper Soup'', Michael Olatuja *2020: ''Universal Beings E&F sides'', Makaya McCraven *2020: ''Black Love'',

ft.

Teedra Moses Teedra Shenita Moses (born December 17, 1976) is an American contemporary R&B, R&B and soul music, soul singer-songwriter. Early life Moses was born and raised in New Orleans. She later moved to Los Angeles with her mother and three siblings ...

& D-Nice *2020: ''Until this Day'',

ft.

Case Case or CASE may refer to: Instances * Instantiation (disambiguation), a realization of a concept, theme, or design * Special case, an instance that differs in a certain way from others of the type Containers * Case (goods), a package of relate ...

*2020: '' VOYAGE-19'',

Bilal __NOTOC__ Bilal may refer to: People * Bilal (name), or Belal or Bilel, including a list of people with the name * Bilal ibn Rabah, a companion of Muhammad, made calls for prayers * Bilal (American singer) * Bilal (Lebanese singer) Places * Bi ...

*2020: ''Petestrumentals 3'',

Pete Rock Peter O. Phillips (born June 21, 1970), better known by his stage name Pete Rock, is an American record producer, DJ and rapping, rapper. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest hip hop producers of all time, and is often mentioned along ...

*2021: ''Private Space'',

Durand Jones & The Indications Durand Jones & The Indications is an American contemporary R&B and soul group founded by the core songwriting trio of singer Durand Jones, singer/drummer Aaron Frazer, and guitarist Blake Rhein. Formed in 2012, the band came to prominence as par ...

*2021: ''Satori Ways'', Max Herre Web Web *2021: ''Talk Memory'',

BadBadNotGood BadBadNotGood (stylized in all caps) is a Canadian instrumental band and Hip hop production, production team from Toronto, Canada. The group was founded in 2010 by bassist Chester Hansen, keyboardist Matthew Tavares, and drummer Alexander Sowinsk ...

*2021: ''

Donda ''Donda'' is the tenth studio album by American rapper Kanye West. It was released by GOOD Music and Def Jam Recordings on August 29, 2021. The album features a broad range of guest performances from artists, including The Weeknd, Jay-Z, Maril ...

'',

Kanye West Ye ( ; born Kanye Omari West ; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer and record producer. One of the most prominent figures in hip-hop, he is known for his varying musical style and polarizing cultural and political commentary. After ...

*2022: ''In These Times'', Makaya McCraven *2023: '' The Omnichord Real Book'',

Meshell Ndegeocello Meshell Ndegeocello ( ; born Michelle Lynn Johnson on August 29, 1968) is an American singer-songwriter, poet, and bassist. She has gone by the name Meshell Suhaila Bashir-Shakur which is used as a writing credit on some of her mid-career work. ...

*2023: ''Fine Tune'',

Terrace Martin Terrace Jamahl Martin (born December 28, 1978) is an American musician, rapper, singer, and record producer. He is perhaps best known for producing records for several prominent artists in the music industry, including Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dog ...

*2024: ''Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace'', Shabaka Hutchings

References

External links

* *
Brandee Younger NPR First ListenBandcamp Daily Feature''The New Yorker'' MagazineGreenwich House Music School ProfileBrandee Younger biography
AllMusic {{DEFAULTSORT:Younger, Brandee 1983 births Living people American session musicians University of Hartford Hartt School alumni Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development alumni University of Hartford Hartt School faculty Adelphi University faculty American jazz harpists People from Hempstead (village), New York Jazz musicians from New York (state) Impulse! Records artists Smooth jazz musicians American women harpists American women music educators 21st-century harpists 21st-century American musicians 21st-century American women musicians African-American jazz musicians African-American women musicians 21st-century African-American musicians