Just when we thought things were about to slow down, we got the call from the great Russell Gunn. Mysterious yet seemingly present at all the important moments in history, Gunn grew up in the Jazz world but kept his love of Hip-Hop right up front. He’d show up al Lincoln Center to play with Wynton, sans the suit and tie with Hip-Hop swagger. He speaks highly of the historic tradition of Jazz, referencing Charlie Parker as a piece of the foundation, while charting his own way forward. His latest is The Royal Krunk Jazz Orkestra , a natural mashup of the traditional Jazz Big Band, with Rhythm & Blues and Southern Hip-Hop sensibility. The band played live weekly for over a year, with Gunn providing the vision and inspiration for the band to embrace and follow willingly. Once the natural language was fully mature, they headed into the studio to record Get It How You Live, a powerful album with guest features from Theo Croker and Dionne Farris.

‘Get It How You Live is about explaining yourself in an honest way – when you open your mouth it has to be genuine’ (Russell Gunn)