20 Black Voices for the New Century: Robert Glasper is a searching, stretching,  potent jazz pianist on his own.  But, more importantly, since introducing the “Black Radio” concept with that album in 2012, he has become a connector.

He brings together jazz and hip-hop,  jazz and neo-soul and occupies the center position where so much important music is being made today. Glasper certainly knows the jazz repertoire. Last month he and fellow Blue Note pianist worked through that esteemed label’s history in a concert celebrating their 75th anniversary.  But the way to hear what makes him important for the future is with The Robert Glasper Experiment dropping J Dilla references next to Monk.

Read more in the series: Twenty Black Voices