The Philharmonik, Th 10.07.2025, Gent Jazz Gent

Christian Gates - the man behind The Philharmonik - grew up in a musical home in Ohio where a multitude of musical legends, including everyone from Bach and Stevie Wonder to Louis Armstrong, Queen, The Beatles and Led Zeppelin, were par for the course and left a deep impression on this musician. Then, as a teenager, he became hooked on hip-hop and R&B artists such as OutKast, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu and Chance The Rapper. This variety of influences explains his status as a musical chameleon who effortlessly combines his professional and emotional sides. The multi-instrumentalist switches easily between neo-soul, hiphop, R&B and electronica, with his witty, relevant texts forming the common thread. From a personal point of view, he manages to address the 'Big Themes’ without becoming overly pedantic. The Philharmonik is raw and emotional but always hopeful, entertaining and, above all, immensely musical and urgent. Check out his Tiny Desk Session for NPR. Then try to resist the urge to get involved in a live session...

For fans of: Chance The Rapper, Anderson .Paak, D’Angelo, Tom Misc