Stevie Wonder, Robert Glasper, Keyon Harrold, Marcus Strickland, Jean Baylor, Thunder Cat, Mogs Slam, Chris 'Daddy' Dave, Kennuth Wallum, Saunders Sermon ll, Ellon Doty, Gregory Porter, Stimulus, Joel Holmes, Cecilia Stallin, Burnice Travis, Corey Christianson, Jahmal Nichols, Tivon Pennicott, Cory James, Sharp Radway, Ondre J Pivet, Jowee Bash, Sam Barsh Chip Crawford, Kamau Kenyatta, De La Soul, and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble are all current musical inspirations for me. 'St. Louis American' “America’s true classical music is jazz,” said drummer and St. Louis native Emanuel Harrold. “It perfectly expresses what we have gone through as a people in this country.” Harrold is a part of the hip-hop generation. He’s even produced for hip-hop artists like De La Soul. But he is among a growing core group of talented musicians who are intent on bringing the flavor of their culture to genre – and, in a sense, returning jazz to its originators – as he stands on the shoulders of fellow St. Louis-area jazz greats like Miles Davis and Clark Terry. Harrold currently travels the world with fellow St. Louisan Jahmal Nichols as the rhythm section for Grammy Award-winning singer Gregory Porter. An original member of the band whose musical backdrop helped catapult Porter into the international jazz scene’s stratosphere, Harrold had a hand in defining and constructing the singer’s now signature sound. They were among the last class of jazz musicians to make their bones at Harlem’s famed St. Nick’s Pub. “After about the third or fourth year of playing together a couple of times a week, I was like ‘man, this could really be something,’” Harrold said. “The way it used to hit people, the room was like shaking – literally. The energy was so electric, and the vibe was just crazy.” Porter packed out the Touhill last month, but 10 years ago they were playing until 4 a.m. at St. Nick’s, the historic dive where the most of the jazz masters came to unwind – including Miles Davis. “James Carter, Wynton Marsalis, my brother (Keyon Harrold) … they would all come through,” Harrold said. “There would be so many great musicians in the room together in the same time vibing. It was almost like church.” They took their show on the road in with their first stop as a touring group in Kazakhstan. “Man, that was a trip,” Harrold said. He would go on to record with Porter on the Grammy-nominated “Water,” “Be Good” and “Liquid Spirit,” which earned Porter a Grammy award for Best “Vocal Jazz Album of the Year.” As the heartbeat of the band, Harrold was over the moon about Nichols joining him as a bassist nearly two years ago. “We’ve been playing together for over 20 years,” Harrold said of Nichols. “Trying to describe our sound is it’s like trying to explain a St. Paul Sandwich or Imo’s pizza.” Delicious and “so St. Louis” pretty much sums them up as well. ‘Straight outta Ferguson’ For him, his brother Keyon – who often plays with Porter on a regular basis and is a member of R&B star Maxwell’s horn section – the musical training of the 16 Harrold siblings began in sanctuaries across the region. “Man, we were on call,” Harrold said. “You had to be ready at any moment to perform an A and a B selection.” Rooted in Kinloch, but “straight outta Ferguson,” Harrold’s skills were further honed as a part of his grandfather Frank Harrold Sr.’s drum and bugle corps. “I’ve played for as long as I can remember – even before I could remember,” Harrold said. His professional drumming career began at the age of 17. He performed with local jazz legends like Ptah Williams and Willie Akins before he left St. Louis to attend The New School in New York City, where he received his BFA. It was in New York where he found his rhythm in jazz because of its complexities and infinite room for improvisation. “With church, you have format,” Harrold said. “At some point, you still have your ad libs and your own interpretation or improvisation of that tune. And you have the liberty to play it a different pace than the day before.” But jazz is diving into the deep end. “With church, it’s almost like you’re painting the same picture, but adding different strokes of color each time,” Harrold said. “Jazz, it’s more like an abstract piece of art – it’s like a ‘knowing the rules in order to break them’ kind of thing. But you have to know the rules.” By sprinkling his own influences and musical experiences, he’s on a mission to deliver jazz back to hip-hop. “We are taking elements of what we’ve gone through and are expressing it through the music,” Harrold said. “Like Miles said, there is only good music and bad music – so let’s make music good.” Harrold hopes to have a hand in helping jazz continue into his generation and beyond, and sees the music as a vehicle to help young people tune into those who paved the way for them to saturate popular American culture via hip-hop. “It’s the ambition. It’s the drive. It’s the passion of a people through a sound,” Harrold said of jazz. “It is where it begins for us – this music is our contribution to the world.” ‘St.Louis Post Dispatch’ Emanuel Harrold continues family tradition on tour with Gregory Porter' By Kevin C. Johnson St. Louis Post-Dispatch Feb 4, 2016 'FlipThe Script Book' This month we have a special interview with Emanuel Harold. Drummer, Producer, Composer, Educator Native of St.Louis, MO, Harrold began pursuing drums at age sixteen. His professional career began at the age of seventeen playing with the Willie Akins Quartet. Currently, Emanuel’s Dynamic drumming is recorded on the 2010 Grammy Nominated Album “ Water” for Best Jazz Album Of The Year (Artist) Gregory Porter. Since relocating to New York he has worked and or recorded with great jazz and contemporaries musicians such as Gregory Porter, Kidz in the Hall, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, De La Soul and Damon Albarn. Who / What inspired you to take up drums? I grew up in a musician family. My father & mother are ministers. My grandmother Rose Evers was a gospel recording artist and my grandfather Frank Harrold sr and his siblings along side CQ Ross performed in competitions 30-50 years ago around the USA. I meet people who know them all the time after I perform in new York. When I came along, my grandfather had the drum and bugle corp based out of Kinlock Mo, an all black community in St Louis. So marching, drum line, horns and pit percussion was constantly available since I can remember. My brothers, cousins and friends used to explore, get kicked off and find or voice on any and every instrument. So, what really drove me to the drums was not being able to have that choice being, my grandfather strictly wanted us/me to learn and play horns. But of course we would sneak on the drums and get in trouble. Learning melody and harmony from learning horn parts sticks with me today. So one day, the drummer was missing at a church service I went to with my mom and time after time after that. I finally made that step eventually. Years later I committed full time. That was the transition for me. But I always was a drummer at heart.. Is there any other instruments you can play or are interested in? I can play at the piano. Not trained though. I can play a few songs on baritone horn (G clef). I do producing and remixes using Native Machine, Pro-tools. Whats the most memorable performance you have done abroad and at home? Most memorable concert was touring with Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and performing with Prince. Eating breakfast and talking to George Duke, and after performing with Gregory Porter in France – Herbie Hancock going out of his way to tell us we had a great vibe.. What are the most important qualities you demand of the musicians who accompany you onstage? Qualities I look for is for every band mate to do their job. Come to play every night and enjoy themselves. Lastly to be respectful and responsible.. Where would you most love to perform live? At the Super Bowl and The Grammy Awards. What are your favorite films and have they influenced your work? The Matrix basically had me picture the inner workings of something, a tune, a rhythm or situation. This thought process challenged me to go inside myself. Like a deeper awareness to do the job, the gig, the drum solo. Learning the rule to break the rules. Is there any one thing you take on tour with you where ever you go? I take my camera, cymbals, studio and and a good open positive attitude. Is there any musician (alive or dead) that you’d love to work with – why? Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones because they are musical genius and a part of the past and the future for this music. Nile Rogers because he is funky. Derrick Hodge because I enjoy his approach to music. Q-Tip, Nas, LL Cool J, Common, Madlib and Rev Run because they like the funky drummer. Max Roach MBoom, Betty Carter, Ella fritz Gerald, Coltrane, Miles, J Mac, T Monk and Ahmad Jahmal because of the legacy of the music. The projects you have worked on show an open mind to different genres of music – whats planned for the rest of 2014? Well the 2014 Liquid Spirit Tour with Gregory Porter, working on writing and finding time to practice and transcribe more. Also been talking with renown DJ’s about some recordings and shows. The Liquid Spirit Tour continues through out the UK! 'The Porter Society' I was very pleased to catch up with Emanuel Harrold today in between gigs as he tours the world along with Gregory Porter. Most of you will probably recognise him as one of the original band members with Gregory and we have all come to appreciate Emanuel's incredible talent and valuable musical contribution. Additionally, this awesome drummer not only looks sharp but is a real nice guy too! Get to know him a little better from his answers to a few of my questions. Hi Emanuel! Where in the world are you today? -Today I am in Luxembourg. Can you tell us where you're from originally? -I am from Ferguson/St Louis, MO, USA. Home of the Blues When did you first realise you wanted to be a drummer? -I realized I wanted to be a drummer at the early age of 5 but didn't pursue it seriously until 17 years old. Who inspires you the most? -My family, friends, and peers inspire me to be better. To be happy, serious about my personal growth and musical development etc. If you wasn't a musician, what might you have been? -If I wasn't a musician I may become heavy in sports or business of some sort. Who are some of your favourite bands and musicians? -I'm listening to lots of Classical, Pop and Modern music these days that moves me. What album are you listening to the most right now? -I dig a lot of music. Classic and more current music pieces. Andy Bey singing Celestial Blues, Dionne Warwick , Usher, Miles Davis, Elvin Jones, Hiatus Kyiote, Drumheadz, Gorilla's Dangelo, Roy Hargrove, DJ music. It's a lot of music. It's been a crazy five years or so, touring with Gregory. Since those early days playing at St Nick's Pub, Brooklyn, when you, Chip, Aaron, Yosuke and Gregory were developing your sound, did you ever have an inkling things would blow up like they have? -Actually one day we were playing at the Pub and after the gig I walk up to Greg and said 'G you gonna be Famous.’ He looked at me like ‘What are you talking about?’ Something happened to even give me that thought on the stage that night. It was normal for us to just play each week but that night allowed me to feel that way. What is one of your highlights of this time so far? -Stevie Wonder playing Harmonica and singing with us was my definite highlight so far. With the band line-up changing when Aaron and Yosuke left and new musicians Jahmal and Tivon joining, how has this change affected the sound on the new album Take Me To The Alley? -With older members leaving is always a touchy subject but with Jahmal and Tivon or my brother Keyon the vibe is pleasant. They have always been in the circle but now they are touring so it’s a good vibe. Out of all the places you have visited in the world, where would you like to return to spend more time? -I'd like to spend more time in Africa and South America. So beautiful but not enough time. What is your favourite GP track to perform? -My favorite GP track to perform if I had to pick one would be Brown Grass. Do you have any tips for aspiring drummers out there? -My tip for aspiring drummers/musician is to enjoy the music you play. check out what else musically is going on in the world. Lastly it's ok to play with dynamic. What, besides your instruments, is something you always pack in your case when on tour? -I travel with my small studio set up. mic's, keyboard, computer, hard drives, native instrument set up etc. I am always working on ideas, remixes and now a EP or Album of my own. It's gonna be different and interesting finding my sound in a artist leader vibe. I'm up for the journey. I also pack trail mix, shades, hand sanitizer, allergy meds, pain meds and head phones. We absolutely love your sharp, quirky style! Will you divulge how many bowties you own? -I have to thank Mark A Andrews at The What Knot Tie. I have at least 30 plus bowties. It's growing. It just started to work for me. So I'm told. Also you know I rock basically G-Star clothing Have been for the last 8 years. What's your favourite motto/quote? -My favorite quote that works for me is "Take it One Day at a Time". It's helpful with our touring life style of late. How do you like to pass the time when on the road? -I like to pass my time on the road mostly with checking out music, working on music, watching a new series on Netflix, reaching out to family and friends. Lastly keeping a healthy focus by reading a good book etc. Besides touring with GP, can you tell us what other projects you have on the go? -I'm working on my own music now. Gonna drop something this year. Gonna be out the box. It’s my goal also to get the guys in the studio to record. Also hoping to produce, remix more for other artists. Just want to work. Can you tell us something we don't know about you? -I don't have a secret talent other than just working until the job is down. But I do have a white Boxer. She is so cool. She's bossy. How would you describe your perfect day? -A Perfect Day would be a day of feeling I accomplished my task with no set backs or distractions. Emanuel, thank you for chatting to The Porter Society! We are so looking forward to you all coming back to the UK next month and to hearing your solo projects later in the year. -All the best. EH