There is no doubt that music has changed. Gone is the creation of timeless classics that resonate forever. The music today comes and goes without much thought. Music used to define the era people lived in. Now it represents a throw-away society where nothing is long-term, and mood music is no longer.
However, now and then, an artist will bring something original and bold. A record that not only defines the time, but also takes over the room and helps to drive emotion and behavior.
Najee’s latest project, Under the Moon, Over the Sky, is a blend of R&B, international themes, and jazz. Each track feels like it belongs as the lead song to its own project.
“Because this is my first independent project, I was able to create the record I wanted,” Najee said. “When you put up your own financing, you can do what you want.”
Under the Moon, Over the Sky represents the latest trend in music where artists use their own money, produce themselves, and market their work on their own platforms.
With the internet and social media, record companies have lost all leverage when it comes to controlling the business of music. Najee saw the opportunity to control the process from open to close and decided to go for it.
“We started right before the pandemic and took our time and created the kind of songs we wanted to hear,” Najee explained. “I was able to collaborate with some wonderful people on this project, and it came out in each song.”
Najee was born in the Lower West Side of Manhattan in New York City and lived his teenage years in Queens, New York. His father died at a young age, and Najee and his siblings were raised by his mother, Mary Richards. His mother was an important figure and supporter throughout his life and musical career.
Najee’s musical pursuits began in grade school at age eight, where he began playing the clarinet, but he had a deep desire to play saxophone. He was influenced at this age by listening to his mother’s recordings of Miles Davis and other American jazz artists.
A pivotal moment in his life came when he made the decision to become a professional jazz musician. In high school, Najee began to study jazz as a student at the Jazzmobile program (co-founded by Dr. Billy Taylor) where he honed his skills on tenor saxophone and flute under the direction of Jimmy Heath, Frank Foster, and Ernie Wilkins. At age sixteen, Najee studied flute at the Manhattan School of Music Preparatory Division, where he took lessons with Harold Jones, flautist from the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
Najee draws his inspiration from saxophonists John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Yusef Lateef, Joe Henderson, Grover Washington Jr., and Ronnie Laws, as well as flautists Hubert Laws and James Galway. Najee began his career as a teenager performing in local bands in the New York City area. After high school, Najee’s first world tour was with a band from New York City called Area Code.
After his studies at the New England Conservatory, Najee returned to New York City in the early 1980s. In 1983, he and his brother Fareed toured with Chaka Khan for the Ain’t Nobody Tour. In 1986, he released his debut album, entitled Najee’s Theme (EMI/Capitol). The album earned Najee a Grammy Award nomination for Best Jazz Album. In 1987, Najee accepted an opportunity to open on the Tasty Love tour with R&B singer Freddie Jackson.
In 1988, Najee’s second album, Day by Day, was released and certified gold. Day by Day was produced by several producers, including Barry Eastmond (Freddie Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, and Billy Ocean). In 1990, Tokyo Blue was released. This album was produced by Najee’s brother, Fareed, and is one of his most successful recordings to date. Day by Day and Tokyo Blue led to Najee winning two Soul Train Awards for Best Jazz Artist in 1991 and 1993.
Najee learned to perfect both the saxophone and flute and even plays the piano.
“When I was coming up, the saxophone was not used on records, so I learned how to play the piano so I could get gigs. Those skills allowed me to play in R&B groups, as well as play the jazz I wanted to play,” Najee said.
And he did play. When Najee first started, his band was hired by the US military and traveled the world to play behind Miss Black America. That tour gave him the exposure to then tour with other musicians.
Najee worked with Shaka Khan, with whom he toured. He spent three years on tour with Prince and played with Regina Belle on many occasions.
Najee’s latest project is significant because it is so much larger than jazz. It sounds the way music is supposed to be created — with feeling, emotion, and great composition. In a world where everything is hurry up and revenue-driven, Under the Moon, Over the Sky reminds the listener of what taking your time sounds like.
Najee plans to travel around the world in 2026 as he supports his first independent CD. You are in for a treat if you can find a way to listen to him live. Najee is saving music, one note at a time. ●
For more information, visit: https://www.najeeofficial.com/
