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Having toured with Prince and the New Power Generation and recorded with a wide array of artists (including Liv Warfield and Ro James), saxophonist Sly5thAve is set to release his debut solo album, Akuma, February 14, 2014 via Truth Revolution Records. The New York-based jazz musician invested some two years in the project, with a short documentary film to be release concurrently. The film tracks Sly5thAve’s “journey from New York to Nigeria, and the insight he gained exploring familial tradition.”
The journey to Nigeria inspired the music on Akuma, which “channels the mysticism and jubilation of Igbo tribe culture, infiltrating it with the sound of contemporary jazz,” according to the artist’s press materials.
The sax player (real name: Sylvester Onyejiaka) recorded Akuma with Ross Pederson (drums), Daniel Foose (bass), Hajime Yoshida (guitar), Keita Ogawa (percussion), Jay Jennings (trumpet), and several guest musicians. Two advance singles will precede the February 14 release: the title track and “Meme” (featuring guest vocalist Denitia Odigie).
Born in Austin, Texas, Sly5thAve discovered the saxophone at age 11, going on to study music at the University of North Texas before settling in his current home in Brooklyn, New York. 2013 has kept him exceedingly busy, touring and recording, as well as participating in a special performance of the music of Grand Theft Auto V. For more information about Sly5thAve, visit his official website or check out his videos on YouTube.
