Residence Artist

Razak Rahman

Any tenor, alto or clarinet musician coming of age after 1971, even those who do not reflect his influence, had to be impressed with Razak's skills. This was where God had somewhat entered his being, to allow him to excite listeners in a way no one else could. It came from being a part of the scene, but in his own unique way.

One aspect of his genius, was to make it sound like anybody can do it. But we know better than that, it takes years and years of stick-to-it-vennes, practicing to hone that sound to that velvety fluency. And Razak as a person could back that sound up with a soul that could get him into and out of some interesting improvisional places.

Musical style and personality are not necessarily a continuation of the same thing. Most people are what they sound like; but then there are tremendously important musicians who take on-the-bandstand experience too lightly. Being on the bandstand is like being at the Wailing Wall, it's as reverential an experience as one is likely to have. Yet some musicians, who could play, would just be horrible on the bandstand.

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