Grammy-Winning Jazz Saxophonist Najee Is Coming To Charlotte

Jazz saxophonist Najee is coming to Charlotte and I couldn’t be happier. I got my introduction to ‘contemporary jazz’ while in college in the late 1980’s. The Grammy and NAACP award-winning musician Najee was in Greensboro, NC at the time for a concert. Me and my roommate got tickets to see him. (Though I’m not quite sure how because we as college students had no money. Anyway, I remember seeing him on stage and hearing his music and thinking, ‘Wow! I’m really a grown-up now. I’m listening to live jazz.’

Fast-forward some 35 years later, I am reintroduced to Najee and he’s still the same down-to-earth, humble and creative musical genius that he was when I first met him. The only difference now is he’s even more accomplished. He received one of the highest awards anyone can get — the United States Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters. (I don’t know what that really means, but it sounds important.

Musically, he’s always been ‘that guy.’ He’s won numerous Grammys and NAACP awards. He’s a multi-Platinum selling Saxophonist/Flautist. And Najee is keeping it ‘jazzy’ with his latest project called Savoir Faire. Najee says it was born during the pandemic and includes a ‘melting pot of influences,’ like songstress Alyson Williams, Chris “Big Dog” Davis and several others.

Najee will be performing LIVE at Knight Theater 430 South Tryon St. in Uptown Charlotte on Friday, July 19, 2024 at 8 pm.

I got the opportunity to chop it up with Najee who was pretty open on where he believes music is today, the reason behind his staying in the game and family.

Janine “JD” Davis: JD The Diva is the spicy, bold, and highly energetic radio and TV personality you hear hosting the midday shift (10 am till 3 pm) each weekday at V 101.9. An award-winning 30-year radio and news journalist, Janine brings her unique style of delivering entertainment, news, and inspiration to the airwaves. From her quick-witted ‘dirt’ on celebrities to the live Facebook mix show featuring JD and her best dance moves to JD’s Inspirational Moments where she shares personal battles and triumphs, JD keeps listeners engaged and entertained. When she’s not on air, you can find JD getting involved in the community and embracing Black-owned businesses and stories online. She enjoys writing about small Black-owned businesses, our HBCUs as a grad herself, and all things supporting women.