Christian Scott

Born Christian Andre Scott on March 31, 1983, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Christian Scott began his musical journey at an early age. He was introduced to jazz by his uncle, saxophonist Donald Harrison Jr., and started studying the genre at 12. His early professional experiences included performing with Donald Harrison Jr.’s quintet at age 16 and appearing on his albums, “Paradise Found” and “Kind of New.” Scott further honed his skills at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) and later attended Berklee College of Music on scholarship, where he majored in professional music with a focus on film scoring, graduating in 2004. During his time at Berklee, he released his first recording, “Christian Scott” (2002), through his independent label, Impromp2 Records.

Scott’s career gained significant momentum after signing with Concord Music in 2005. His major label debut, “Rewind That” (2006), earned a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. He continued to release critically acclaimed albums, including “Anthem” (2007) and the live CD/DVD set “Live at Newport” (2008), with NPR praising him for ushering in a “New Era of Jazz.” A pivotal moment arrived in 2010 with “Yesterday You Said Tomorrow,” which introduced his distinct “Stretch Music” concept—a fusion of various genres, including trap music, West African percussion, and New Orleanian Afro-Native American styles, aimed at expanding the traditional definitions of jazz. This innovative approach earned him an Edison Award for Best International Jazz Artist in 2012 for his album “Christian aTunde Adjuah.” Beyond his individual projects, Scott has engaged in notable collaborations, such as forming Ninety Miles with David Sánchez and Stefon Harris, releasing albums and a documentary after recording with Cuban musicians in Havana.

Throughout his career, Scott has received numerous accolades, including six Grammy Award nominations, two Edison Awards, the Jazz FM Innovator of the Year award, and the Jazz Journalists Association Trumpeter of the Year award. He was also recognized with the Herb Alpert Award in the Arts and the Doris Duke Performing Arts Award. In 2014, he established his Stretch Music label, partnering with Ropeadope Records, and released the album “Stretch Music” in 2015. His 2017 “Centennial Trilogy” celebrated jazz’s 100th anniversary and garnered another Grammy nomination for “The Emancipation Procrastination.” In 2017, he joined the supergroup R+R=NOW, releasing “Collagically Speaking” (2018) and “R+R=NOW Live” (2021). His 2019 album “Ancestral Recall” and 2020 live album “Axiom” both received Grammy nominations. Scott has also designed a signature line of brass instruments with Adams Musical Instruments and an electric harp called the “Adjuah bow,” showcasing his commitment to pushing musical boundaries. In 2023, he legally changed his name to Xian aTunde Adjuah and is now known as Chief Adjuah, reflecting his West African and Indigenous heritage and his role as Chieftain of the Xodokan Nation of Maroons and Grand Griot of New Orleans.