Patrice Rushen
Say hello to one of the best keyboardists in jazz and pop history!
Indeed Patrice Rushen was a certified prodigy. She began playing piano as a toddler and was giving full-blown performances by age 6. By age 21 she had recorded a couple of mostly “straight” jazz albums, which were entirely composed by her with production by Reggie Andrews.
Well, after those first two albums, Patrice began expanding her range to more forcefully incorporate R&B, funk, pop, and dance music.
Jazz snobs were not happy with these turn of events, but who gives a shit. Patrice was making good music.
Beginning with her third album, Shout it Out, Patrice would continue writing her music while also now producing it. And she also began exploring herself as a vocalist. She was not soul shouter or even a chantuese. Instead her voice had a whispery, delicate earnestness. Importantly, it is distinctive. You don’t mistake Patrice Rushen’s singing for anybody else’s.
Her sister Angela Rushen and friend Charles Mims would be productive co-writers over the years. Bassist Freddie Washington would also prove to be an indispensable musical ally of hers.
Released in 1978, her fourth album, Patrice, finally delivered the “classic” Rushen fusion of jazz, funk, dance, and pop music she would be known for. For a short but productive burst through 1982’s Straight from the Heart, Rushen was largely on fire creatively and commercially.
She never had any chart-toppers, but going from classical piano prodigy to scoring top 10 R&B hits was quite a pivot.
However, reflecting upon her albums, Rushen’s musical touch was most adept to the musical era predating programmed instruments. Her pre-1984 music was lively and energetic on the uptempo numbers; contemplative and moving on the slower ones. Even if the particular songs weren’t always good, they usually had an energy to them.
She wasn’t mailing the stuff in.
Starting with 1984’s Now, Rushen’s music was increasingly saddled by the programmed, digital music era and suffered enormously for it. Her tender voice was drowned out by the noise and her piano work was often sidelined (or overshadowed) by production gimmicks.
And there were times where the music definitely sounded mailed in.
It wasn’t until her 1997 album Signature that Rushen finally quit trying to adapt to new trends and instead found revival in… “straight” jazz.
In the mean time, she was a top-notch music producer and teacher. So over the decades she has served as musical director for the Grammys and tought music to countless members of the Youth.
Great musician, great person.
PLAYLIST on Tidal
ALBUM REVIEWS
Prelusion: C+
Before the Dawn: C-
Shout It Out: C
Patrice: C+
Pizzazz: C+
Posh: B+
Straight from the Heart: B+
Now: D+
Watch Out!: C-
Anything But Ordinary: D-
Signature: C+