Brandee Younger is a groundbreaking harpist reshaping the instrument for the modern age. Over the past fifteen years, she has continuously expanded the boundaries of what a harpist can achieve. In 2022, she made history as the first Black woman to receive a Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental Composition and an NAACP Image Award nomination.

Younger’s latest album, *Brand New Life*, is a tribute to the legendary harpist Dorothy Ashby and blends her compositions with Younger’s originals. The album features collaborations with notable artists like Meshell Ndegeocello, Pete Rock, and 9th Wonder, creating a bridge between generations and genres.

Born in Hempstead, New York, Younger was inspired by hip hop legends and began playing the harp at eleven. She studied classical music at the Hartt School and ventured into jazz under the guidance of Jackie McLean. Her career includes performances with jazz icons like Pharoah Sanders and Ravi Coltrane, and appearances on albums by Lakecia Benjamin and Robert Glasper.

Younger is also a dedicated educator, teaching at NYU and The New School, and has served as guest faculty at prestigious institutions. Her work honors the legacy of Black women harpists, particularly Dorothy Ashby and Alice Coltrane, and she continues to push the harp into new artistic realms.