You might not necessarily find Bilal’s recordings in the Jazz section of your favorite record store (or on iTunes or on this website!) but as the astonishing singer explains, he’s got a deep connection to the form.  Jazz was a natural topic for conversation as Bilal was playing at The Iridium which is known primarily as a Jazz nook.  Some of the things that he said reminded of the first time I spoke to him when he mentioned each band member is interpreting and improvising within the context of the songs.  Bilal has been in New York since the late 1990’s when he studied at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music.

Bilal went a long time without putting out a new album (he explains why in this interview) but now the record company hurdles have been cleared and he is free to not only play a great show like he did the other night at Stage 48 but also record dynamite new albums like A Love Surreal…