Rajiv Halim

Rajiv Halim, is an up and coming saxophonist, composer, bandleader and educator who was born on September 15, 1990, (sharing a birthday with saxophonist, Cannonball Adderley) in Chicago, to immigrant parents from Belize. In 2010, Rajiv won 1st place in Division II in The Union League Civic and Arts Foundation’s Jazz Improvisation Competition. He also won an Outstanding Individual Musician Award at the 2010 Elmhurst College Jazz Festival. Between September 2009 and August 2011, Rajiv performed around the United States and Canada with the eclectic band, Kids These Days, headlining many venues and festivals, as well as, opening up for or sharing the stage with acts from Raphael Saadiq to Snoop Dogg. He continues to perform around town regularly with his Quartet/Quintet and has had the privilege to perform and/or record with such outstanding artists as, Wess “Warmdaddy” Anderson, Antonio Hart, Lisa Henry, Von Freeman, Mike Stern, Martha Reeves, Bob Mintzer, Ira Nepus, Ernest Dawkins, Ari Brown, Nicole Mitchell, Maggie Brown, Corey Wilkes, Ernie Adams, Big Mel, Crucial Conflict, and many others, including, of course, Orbert Davis and Chicago Jazz Philharmonic!

Rajiv enjoys science, math and outer space/astronomy and also cats, but is allergic. He loves business, which he admits is super important for all artists to learn. He plays Super Mario World on Super Nintendo, (he's so old!), and he admits to picking on his little sisters which we understand, but do not condone!

Rajiv states, 'I don't usually get nervous until right before I'm about to play. But that only lasts for about 10 seconds into the performance; then it's gone. But for this CJP concert, I'm slightly nervous now, because the band is full of some of my most recent mentors! So I feel like it will be a test. Hopefully, I will relax once we begin to play, though! This will be the most experienced small group I've ever performed in! I can hopefully make a good impression with my mentors/bandmates and the audience! I'm really looking forward to this concert! Back to the practice room to get ready!' Thanks Rajiv! You will be fantastic!!

www.rajivhalim.com

Visit our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter!

Check our EVENTS page for upcoming shows!

©2014 The Great Black Music Project. All rights reserved.