Saxophonist Jerome Najee Rasheed began playing at the tender age of eight. Growing up in New York City, he honed his talent through the Jazzmobile program, and eventually enrolled at the Boston Conservatory. He graduated after studying alongside legends Jaki Byard and George Russell. As a professional, Najee earned his stripes as an in-demand backup player for major R&B acts like Chaka Khan, Prince, and Patti LaBelle, and fusion pioneers like George Duke, Stanley Clarke and Herbie Hancock. Najee's solo career finally began in the mid-‘80s with his critically acclaimed debut Najee's Theme.