Najee
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Najee Rasheed (born November 4, 1957) is one of the few smooth jazz artists capable of playing multiple instruments.
In addition to the saxophone (although the soprano sax is his main instrument, he has also played alto and tenor), Najee can also play flute, keyboards and bass synthesizer. He was one of the first innovators of urban jazz, which grew in popularity throughout the 1990s.
Najee has performed with other artists, including singers Freddie Jackson, Will Downing and Jeffrey Osborne, and instrumentalists Marcus Miller, Paul Jackson Jr. and George Duke. He also recorded a tribute album in honor of Stevie Wonder, featuring covers of songs from Wonder's 1976 album, Songs in the Key of Life. He also played and toured with Prince around 2001.
His greatest-hits album, The Best of Najee, was released in 1998.
Now, he belongs ARTizen Music Group which trumpetter Rick Braun and saxophonist Richard Elliot co-founded.
Contents |
[edit] Discography
- Najee's Theme (1986)
- Day by Day (1988)
- Tokyo Blue (1990)
- Just an Illusion (1992)
- Share My World (1994)
- Najee Plays Songs from the Key of Life (1995)
- The Best of Najee (1998)
- Morning Tenderness (1998)
- Embrace (2003)
- My Point of View(2005)
- Rising Sun [2007]
[edit] Awards
1988 Soul Train Music Award for Best Jazz Album - Solo: Najee's Theme
1990 Soul Train Music Award - Best Jazz Album : Tokyo Blue
[edit] Billboard Charts
Najee's Theme
- Top Contemporary Jazz Albums No. 1
- Top Jazz Albums No. 8
- Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums No. 12
- The Billboard 200 No. 56
Day by Day
- Top Contemporary Jazz Albums No. 6
- Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums No. 23
- The Billboard 200 No. 76
Tokyo Blue
- Top Contemporary Jazz Albums No. 1
- Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums No. 17
- The Billboard 200 No. 63
Just an Illusion
- Top Contemporary Jazz Albums No. 5
- Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums No. 25
- The Billboard 200 No. 107
Share My World
- Top Contemporary Jazz Albums No. 2
- Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums No. 23
- The Billboard 200 No. 163
Songs from the Key of Life
- Top Contemporary Jazz Albums No. 6
- Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums No. 67
Morning Tenderness
- Top Contemporary Jazz Albums No. 2
- Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums No. 65
The Best of Najee
- Top Contemporary Jazz Albums No. 15
Love Songs
- Top Contemporary Jazz Albums No. 23
Embrace
- Top Contemporary Jazz Albums No. 7
- Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums No. 82
My Point of View
- Top Contemporary Jazz Album No. 1
