Nasir Dickerson & The Renaissance Messengers

For More Information Contact Nasir Dickerson @ [email protected] or 856-365-4817The Renaissance Messengers is a talented group of musicians led by Nasir P. Dickerson, graduate of The University of the Arts.Nasir Dickerson was born in Philadelphia, PA, and raised in Camden N.J. since the age of one.Nasir’s musical career began in the second grade on the trumpet, then the clarinet and he soon found his place playing the Alto saxophone in the fourth grade.Nasir learned to play the Alto and Baritone saxophone while attending Morgan Village Middle School.In the eighth grade Nasir was introduced to his very first private teacher, Mr. Charles Bowen by his older brother Jamal Dickerson. Mr. Bowen’s influence on the tenor sax, lead Nasir to pursue his future saxophone playing primarily on the tenor saxophone.Nasir participated in the Camden All City Fine and Performing Arts program all throughout his junior and senior high school years.1998, Nasir attended Camden High School, where he began to learn brass instruments such as the Baritone and Tuba/Sousaphone, while participating as band captain in the school marching band.Nasir became a member of the Philadelphia Clef Club in 1998, through his God-Father, Mr. Leon Mitchell.Summer 2000, Nasir opened for trumpeter Dr. Donald Byrd.Summer of 2001, Nasir opened for Mr. Wallace Roney.In 2002, Nasir graduated in the top ten of his class, receiving a full scholarship to The University of the Arts.Summer 2002, Nasir Opened for Mr. Jimmy Heath.As a freshman in college, Nasir had the pleasure of studying with many great musicians in the philadelphia area such Charles Bowen, Leon Mitchell, Collin Knight, Bootsie Barns, Trudy Pitts, Ronald Kerber, Tony Salicondro, Chris Farr, Danny Muller, Ben Schachter, Dennis Wasko, David Hartel, Tony Miceli, John Swana, and many others.Nasir has recorded for many musicians in the New Jersey and Philadelphia area.At the start of his sophomore year in college, with the help of his brother and many fellow musicians, Nasir formed his first jazz group called, The Renaissance Messengers.In 2003, The Renaissance Messengers (R. M.’s) opened for the Cyrus Chestnut trio.2005, The R. M.’s opened for the Trane Stop Program’s, “Search for a New Land Quintet.” (Duane Eubanks, Jymie Merritt, Mickey Roker, Stanley Wilson, Sid Simmons)Summer of 2005, Nasir traveled to West African (Guinea) to receive further training in the African culture as well as instruments such as the Kora, Lateral Flute, Djembe, & the Doun-Dounba Family of Drums. The experiences from this trip helped Nasir to write many songs, which lead to the recording of the Renaissance Messengers first CD... “Journey to Father Land”Summer 2005, The R. M’s performed for the Chicken Bone Beach Jazz Festival.2006, Nasir Traveled to Connecticut to perform with legendary blues singer Percy Sledge.Spring 2006, Traveled to Connecticut to perform for the “Hand and Hand for Haiti” Project.Spring 2006, Nasir Graduated from the University of the Arts with a Bachelors Degree in Music Performance (Saxophone) (2006-07, Nasir Returned to persue his Masters degree in music education).Winter 2006, The R. M’s opened at the Taj Mahal in Atlantic City for the Unity Community Center’s (www.unitycommunity.com) 17th Annual Banquet.The Renaissance Messengers have performed for many different occassions and venues through out the past years and are currently working towards promoting their first cd, “Journey to Father Land.”For more info please contact Nasir Dickerson at [email protected]

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