A Uniondale harpist who blends classical, jazz, soul and funk influences
into her music will be taking center stage at the prestigious Newport Jazz
Festival in Rhode Island this weekend.
Brandee Younger
started playing the instrument when she was a
student at Turtle Hook Middle School in Hempstead.
Younger started
lessons after hearing her father's colleague play. As her musical training
progressed, instead of solemnly plucking classical music by Beethoven or
Brahms, Younger wanted to play the soulful music she heard on the radio.
Inspired by the
work jazz harpists Alice Coltrane and Dorothy Ashby, Younger's concert harp music embraces everything from classical
and jazz to funk and hip-hop.
Younger's new
album titled "Something Different" will be released Aug. 13.