T.K. Blue

T.K. Blue, also known as Talib Kibwe, was born in New York City of a Trinidadian mother and Jamaican father, but was raised on Long Island. T.K. began playing music at the age of 8 years old on trumpet, then at 10 he switched to drums. Shortly after his interest shifted to academic and athletic endeavor. While attending Malverne High School the flute became his muse.

Blue took lessons from Billy Mitchell, the legendary tenor saxophonist with Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie, who in fact lived right down the street. T.K. eventually pursued music as a career after receiving a full academic scholarship to New York University, where he began playing soprano & alto saxophone. He earned a bachelor’s degree in both music and psychology. T.K. Blue went on to earn a master’s degree in music education from Teacher’s College at Columbia University.

“Coming to Jazzmobile in NYC is what did it for me. I got involved with Jazzmobile, where I studied jazz theory, harmony, sight-reading, rhythmic training, improvisation and big-band performance. It was just like going to music school every Saturday. I studied with Jimmy Heath, Chris Woods, Ernie Wilkins, Frank Foster, Sonny Red and Jimmy Owens. In addition Thad Jones and Dr. Billy Taylor would periodically attend to show their support and inspire us to perform at the highest level possible.”

T.K. also studied at Jazz Interactions in NYC with Rashaan Roland Kirk, Yusef Lateef and Joe Newman. Blue attended The Henry Street Settlement in the lower eastside where he played in a large ensemble under the direction of Billy Mitchell and bass master Paul West. Lastly T.K. attended The Muse in Brooklyn where he played in a big band under the direction of world-renowned bassist Reggie Workman.

While living in the East Village of NYC during his undergraduate studies, T.K. took lessons from many elders. An early highlight in his career was when he played with Don Cherry at the famous “5 Spot” jazz club in Greenwich Village. T.K. also studied with Nadi Qamar and learned how to play the African hand piano or Kalimba.

NEA Jazz Master Abdullah Ibrahim, the great South African pianist formerly known as Dollar Brand, hired T.K. for a concert and subsequent recording date shortly after graduating from NYU, which led to several international tours. “I was able to develop when I was in Abdullah’s band because he didn’t put any restraints on me in terms of soloing. It’s an honor and privilege to be in the company of masters when they let you stretch out.” Working in this band offered the opportunity to travel to many nations and deliver performances via many media forms, while absorbing the music and culture of people around the world.

To learn more about Talib Kibwe, visit tkblue.com