1800 TEQUILa presents
the refined players
Meet the Refined Players; a modern jazz orchestra built of raw talent from the streets of local communities. They're proof that you don't have to change who you are to be refined. You can stay true to your roots, stay real and master all the subtleties of the finest art-form.
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Joe Dyson, Elena Pinderhughes, Weedie Braimah, Vic Mensa, Joe Harley, Derrick Hodge
1800 Tequila joined forces with Billboard and hit the streets to find raw musical talent. First, we partnered with an established, multi-dimensional musician; Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah. Christian worked with us to audition and handpick a group of talented unknowns with a mix of experience. Our goal: to collide the worlds of hip-hop and jazz and help to refine our talent into a modern-day orchestra.
Through their journey, the artists mixed various jazz elements with hip-hop and international influences. Together they worked to refine each other’s sound and create a harmonious new single with a special lyrical guest, Vic Mensa.
The group unveiled their collaborative track at Preservation Hall, New Orleans on October 18th.
Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah
“Musically, it’s instinctual for me to pull in sonic influences from all over the world. As a bandleader and collaborator, it’s been an incredible journey to pull together individual talents from all over the country for this project. Independently, each of us bring our own raw sound and creative energy into the mix. The final product will be a true testament of hard work, collaboration, and sonic diversity.”
Vic Mensa
"The marriage of jazz and hip-hop has always inspired me," he said, "so to be able to create with such a talented group of musicians has been invigorating and exciting for me.”
