When jazz was in danger of becoming bogged down in a convention of tradition or abstraction, trumpeter Roy Hargrove formed a collective that encompassed the full spectrum of the history of Black music. Discovered as a teenager by Wynton Marsalis, Hargrove grew to become one of the most influential trumpeters of his generation: his achievements include two Grammys, collaborations with Herbie Hancock, Michael Brecker, and D’Angelo, and a permanent spot in the Soulquarians alongside Questlove and Common. With
Hard Groove (2003), his band
The RH Factor created a sound that fused jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and funk into something entirely unique. Hargrove passed away in 2018, but his legacy lives on in the hands of his wife and daughter. Now that North Sea Jazz is celebrating its 50th anniversary, The RH Factor returns with the original band members: not a nostalgic re-enactment, but confirmation that Hargrove’s vision sounds more prophetic than ever.
