New Release

Igmar Thomas Taps Talib Kweli For Revive Big Band’s ‘Thelonius’, Preps Debut Album for October 25th Release

October 8, 2024

Artistic director, trumpeter, and composer Igmar Thomas was commissioned by SummerStage in 2016 for the Revive Big Band production A Journey Through The Legacy Of Black Culture. Taking place at Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield in NYC on August 7, 2016, the performance took showgoers through the past and present of Black American music. In dedication to two giants within this musical continuum, a segment of the show fused Thelonious Monk’s iconic Bebop standard “Thelonious” with the head-nodding Hip-Hop production of J Dilla’s “Thelonius” instrumental from Common’s classic album Like Water For Chocolate. This electrifying fusion of Jazz and Hip-Hop is released on all major digital streaming platforms via Soulspazm, featuring a guest verse from Talib Kweli and bookended by an explosive Big Band chorus.

“‘Thelonius’ demonstrates exactly how closely related Jazz and Hip-Hop are, and how they can once again easily evolve into one another. It brings together the best of two musical worlds… To take the energy even further, I composed an original final section of the song that explodes into a high-octane Hip-Hop Big Band shout chorus.” – Igmar Thomas

“Thelonius” is from the forthcoming full-length debut by Igmar Thomas’ Revive Big Band, Like A Tree It Grows. Due out on all major DSPs on October 25th, the album will serve as a tribute to the life and legacy of Revive Music Group founder Megan Stabile, whose vision to bridge the gap between younger Hip-Hop audiences and traditional Jazz purists helped birth the Revive Big Band.

Pre-order/save Like A Tree It Grows here.

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