“the essence of what jazz is.” – Jazz Police
Kavyesh Kaviraj imbues his life and stories into his music, carefully weaving his influences into a boundary-breaking modern jazz outfit. He is well-known in the Twin Cities and beyond as a pianist, composer and arranger.
Kavyesh has garnered acclaim in many musical climates, and currently calls St. Paul, MN home. Primarily a jazz pianist, he is a sought-after musician in many genres. He has performed with internationally renowned artists like Wynton Marsalis, David Sanchez, Justin Robinson, Roosevelt Collier, Steve Cole and others. Further, he has been an important member of the Twin Cities music community. He has worked with local jazz legends like Debbie Duncan, Bruce Henry, Babatunde Lea, Kevin Washington, and LA Buckner. Simultaneously he is active in hip-hop, gospel, R&B, funk scenes and many crossover acts.
Omar Abdulkarim has been playing the trumpet since he was fourteen months old. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music performance from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. Omar has shared the stage with Roy Hargrove, Redman, Method Man, KRS-ONE and Talib Kweli. He has also performed with Nicholas Payton’s Television Studio Orchestra and Valerie Ponomarev’s Big Band.
Omar’s versatility extends beyond live performances. He has written and recorded music with Lauryn Hill and Jose James. His influences include Fats Navarro, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, John Coltrane and Lee Morgan.
Omar’s journey reflects a dedication to his art. He continually expands his musical horizons and collaborates with a diverse range of artists. His rich experiences and influences have shaped him into a dynamic and innovative trumpet player. He makes significant contributions to both the jazz and contemporary music scenes.
Recommended for fans of Roy Hargrove, Ahmad Jamal, Woody Shaw and Keith Jarrett.
