Isaiah Collier: Blackness Has No Timeframe
Isaiah Collier: Blackness Has No Timeframe
by Henry (Hank) Williams
When asked about how he got into music, saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Isaiah Collier credits his parents, the Chicago community, and a list of mentors, saying “I found music” to which he quickly adds that “[music] found me, really.”
It’s one entry point into the world of Isaiah, whose thinking and range of influences seem as expansive as the music he creates and personal philosophy.
But, if forced to distill Isaiah’s presence and approach down to the essence, spirituality, culture, and community might be good keywords to start with—and understanding that Isaiah sees all of them in spatially and temporally expansive ways.
Isaiah comes from a family where music was central to the household and his father would play records for him. However, it was the participatory aspect of performing that really hooked him on the music.
Isaiah’s foray into formal lessons began at a program run out of the Salvation Army Center on Chicago’s South Side by Julian Champion, who was also one of the instructors. Isaiah fondly remembers the first summer he was allowed to take the saxophone home to practice on the instrument. Isaiah, grasping for guidance on how to proceed, was simply told “Well, use your ears.” But Isaiah followed along, listening closely to some of what he liked then trying to replicate them on the saxophone.
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