This very special two-show evening is the highlight of Kavyesh Kaviraj’s December residency at Berlin.

Kindred spirits Kavyesh Kaviraj and Omar Abdulkarim will be joined by legendary Atlanta-based drummer Terreon Gully, LA-based saxophonist Logan Richardson, bassist Ted Olsen, and drummer Kevin Washington in recording a live album, soon to be released into the world as an offering of original music and arrangements co-written by Omar and Kavy. This music blends Omar and Kavy’s worlds: melodic, soulful trumpet and harmonically rich piano. Bring the noise, so it can be imprinted onto the record!

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Kavyesh Kaviraj imbues his life and stories into his music, carefully weaving his influences into a boundary-breaking modern jazz outfit. Kavy has garnered acclaim in many musical climates, and currently calls St. Paul, MN, home. Primarily a jazz pianist, he has performed with internationally renowned artists such as Wynton Marsalis, David Sanchez, Justin Robinson, Roosevelt Collier, and Steve Cole. Further, has worked with local jazz legends Debbie Duncan, Bruce Henry, Babatunde Lea, Kevin Washington, and LA Buckner. He is also active in the hip-hop, gospel, R&B, and funk scenes and many crossover acts.

Omar Abdulkarim’s journey reflects a dedication to his art. He has been playing the trumpet since he was 14 months old. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music performance from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. He has shared the stage with Roy Hargrove, Redman, Method Man, KRS-ONE, and Talib Kweli, and 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.

Grammy-winning musician extraordinaire Terreon Gully is one of the most influential artists of his generation. His innovative and distinct sound has inspired artists such as Dianne Reeves, Christian McBride, Stefon Harris, and John Beasley to make him a member of their bands. From jazz legends and modern masters to the hottest hip-hop icons, Terreon has worked with the best: Kurt Elling, David Sanborn, Nicholas Payton, Sting, Queen Latifah, Yerba Buena, Charlie Hunter, Abbey Lincoln, Joe Locke, Lizz Wright, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Maria Schneider Big Band, Meshell Ndegeocello, Lauryn Hill, Pharoahe Monch, Mos Def, and Common, as well as a host of other artists. Originally from Illinois, Terreon refined his musical talent in New York City. He currently makes Atlanta, GA, his home.

Saxophonist Logan Richardson hails from St. Louis, MO, a city with a rich historical lineage of improvised music. At 19 years old, Richardson left for Boston to attend the Berklee School of Music. Then, he moved to New York City to attend the New School University. In NYC, Richardson began performing, recording, and touring internationally with artists including Joe Chambers, Billy Hart, Butch Morris, Greg Osby, Stefon Harris, and Jason Moran. Richardson has released two prior albums as a leader—2007’s Cerebral Flow (Fresh Sound, New Talent) and 2008’s Ethos (Inner Circle Music). He was part of NEXT Collective, which released the album Cover Art (Concord Jazz) in 2013. In 2016, Richardson released his Blue Note Records debut, Shift, which features an impressive band of visionaries including guitarist Pat Metheny, pianist Jason Moran, bassist Harish Raghavan, and drummer Nasheet Waits.

Ted Olsen is a double bassist from Minneapolis, MN, with extensive experience as a performer and composer. He has released two albums of original music and has been fortunate enough to share the stage with many stellar musicians, including Michael Cain, Dayna Stephens, Javier Santiago, John Raymond, Tim Sparks, Dean Magraw, Aby Wolf, Eric Mayson, and Steve Kenny.

One of the Twin Cities’ most versatile musicians, drummer Kevin Washington makes jazz for the future. He often incorporates other genres, from Afro-Latin music to hip-hop and R&B beats. The son of saxophonist Donald Washington and singer Faye Washington, Kevin grew up in Detroit immersed in learning music and listening to the jazz greats who came before him. Since moving to the Twin Cities in his teens, he continues to capture the spirit of African and African American music while making it his own. Kevin is a drumming instructor at Walker West Music Academy and works with the student jazz ensembles.