Kazemde George

Kazemde George is an Oakland-based saxophonist, composer, and educator who pulls from the worlds of jazz, hip-hop, and the African diaspora. Raised by Caribbean parents in Berkeley, George studied in the Harvard/New England Conservatory joint program and earned degrees in Neurobiology and Jazz Composition. His artistic voice has been shaped by mentors like Miguel Zenón, Jason Moran, Danilo Pérez, and Jerry Bergonzi, as well as extensive study of Afro-Cuban, Afro-Caribbean, Afro-Brazilian, and African-American musical traditions. Following more than a decade as an active performer in New York City's creative music scene, George released his acclaimed debut album, I Insist, on Dave Douglas' Greenleaf Music label, followed by Ocean Passage in 2026. He’s performed with artists including Solange, David Murray, Jason Moran, Norah Jones, and Ethan Iverson venues and festivals across the US.