NAJEE: INTERVIEW

The massive stage at Pier Park on Thursday evening, delivered a classic performance by a classic artist

- Sheila E.Ross

American Saxophonist, Najee arrives on stage for the audience and immediately sets his musical collaboration to the audience for this performance with bassist, Blair Bryant, guitarist and vocalist, Kevin Robinson, drummer, Daniel Powell, and keyboard players, Mark Harris II, and Christian Swan. After warming up, this band welcomes Najee to the stage with soprano sax in hand and together they introduce themselves to the audience with 'Get Up'. Najee shifts and spotlights the stage with his popular bassist talent, Blair Bryant dressed in sparkling attire commands the stage with his recent hit, 'B's Bounce'. The audience knows his music and is excited to hear him perform. Bryant, not shy about the catwalk that extends from the stage, makes his way down to celebrate his recent success with the audience. On soprano saxophone, the classic Najee delivers his classic song, 'Day by Day,' a fan favorite from his 1988 "Day by Day" album. 

The band transitions to 'Sweet Love,' also a fan favorite from 'Najee's Theme' (1986), featuring Robinson on vocals. Najee continues to work in partnership with the band as he next delights the audience with Maxwell's 1996 favorite, 'Sumthin, Sumthin,' featuring Harris and Swan on keyboard. For this audience, Najee showcases his famous flute to play Stevie Wonder's 1976, 'Knocks Me off My Feet'. The band continues to share songs such as, 'Can't Hide Love', 'Tokyo Blue' and 'Betcha Don't Know'. For this Seabreeze performance is to thoroughly please the audience. Out on the stage's runway extension, at times, Najee demonstrates style and technique with his instrument, at times holding his notes with fingers constantly working the saxophone for an unbelievable sound. For some of us, this takes us back to 1986 and then brings us back forward again. For this audience knows they are in the presence of a truly classic artist.