Alfonzo Blackwell
| Alfonzo Blackwell | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Alfonzo Blackwell |
| Born | February 22, 1971 Brooklyn, New York |
| Origin | New York City |
| Genres | Contemporary jazz, smooth jazz, nu jazz, fusion |
| Occupation(s) | Saxophonist, songwriter, composer, arranger, producer, lyricist |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Labels | Utopia |
| Website | www |
Alfonzo Blackwell is an American modern contemporary jazz saxophonist, composer, and producer. He is also a pianist, bassist, guitarist and drummer.
Alfonzo Robert Blackwell Jr. was born in Brooklyn, New York. Music was always a big part of his household and childhood upbringing. He learned to play the piano by ear at the age of six. He began playing saxophone at the age of eleven and became proficient on alto, tenor and soprano saxophones. Over the years he also started to play the drums, bass and guitar. Parents Robert and Herminia Blackwell, siblings Brenetta, Lynette & Rolan Blackwell.
He was accepted at the Performing Arts High School in NYC and then continued his advanced studies at The Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College and Five Towns College for Music in Long Island, NY. While honing his craft, his jazz influences included Cannonball Adderley, John Coltrane, Jackie McLean, Eric Dolphy and Charlie Parker. He performed at jazz clubs throughout the tri-state area and earned a weekly residency at a popular Manhattan music venue. Through his youth, Blackwell played in big bands, jazz ensembles, funk bands, etc. to showcase his original material to his growing audiences and he also played traditional jazz standards and added a few cover tunes in his shows. His formula for mixing traditional jazz with modern contemporary soul and jazz is what makes up his musical presence to date.
Blackwell entered the contemporary jazz music scene in May 1995 with his debut CD release Let’s Imagine. After his instant NAC radio hit "Alfonzo’s Love Theme", he forged ahead with more Top 10 Billboard-charting hits. "Hermina", an originally penned tribute to his mother, "Passion" and "Funky Shuffle" were chart toppers as well. Music video hits "Love No Limit" and "A Little Bit of Sax" were both nominated for Best Contemporary Jazz Video Billboard Awards and he was a regular feature on BET and other popular music video channels. His "Funky Shuffle" and "Take One" (remix) music videos also generated buzz. His music compositions have been used for movie themes as well as television. He performed the theme song to the internationally successful television show Baywatch Nights, on which he was featured every week with David Hasselhoff. He also was featured on the movie soundtrack for the Rebecca De Mornay and Antonio Banderas movie Never Talk to Strangers, with the hit track "Love Sick". Blackwell has performed with musicians including Gladys Knight, The Whispers and Roy Ayers to name a few. He also performed with contemporary soul artists such as Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans and Brian McKnight.
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