Teodross Avery

While deeply immersed in Hip Hop culture of the 1980’s, breakdancing in particular, Teodross Avery heard John Coltrane’s ‘Giant Steps’ and quickly switched from classical guitar studies to the saxophone. A few years later he started to frequent the shows of great jazz musicians, eventually sharing the stage with jazz masters like Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, Nat Adderley, Donald Byrd, and Elvin Jones. After accepting a full scholarship to the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, he released his debut album, ‘In Other Words’, to much critical acclaim, including receiving five stars in USA Today. After moving to New York City he performed and/or recorded with artists such as Amy Winehouse, The Roots (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon), Train, Lauryn Hill, Matchbox Twenty, Mos Def, and many others. In 2020, he will release his eighth recording, the Life And Musik E.P., which is a fusion of jazz, hip hop, soul, and uptempo dance rhythms resulting in a hard grooving journey into the depths of Teodross Avery’s contemporary music side. On the Life And Musik E.P., Teodross acts as writer, producer, and the saxophonist.

Photo Credit: Rippy Austin