Book Wax Poetic

Wax Poetic is a New York trip-hop collective founded in 1997 by Turkish saxophonist and keyboardist Ilhan Erşahin, who still leads the group. The band grew out of jam sessions at the downtown club Save the Robots and developed a sound known for a deep drum-and-bass groove laced with quick, danceable flourishes. Over the years its lineup has featured remarkable vocal talent, including Norah Jones before her breakthrough Come Away with Me, along with N'Dea Davenport and Saul Williams. After signing with Atlantic Records, Wax Poetic released its self-titled album in 2000, following the earlier Three (1998). Jones returns on two tracks of Nublu Sessions (2003), and the band went on to a three-part city series made up of Copenhagen, Istanbul and Brasil before releasing On a Ride in 2012. The current lineup pairs Erşahin with vocalists Sissy Clemens and Gabriel Gordon, drummer Kenny Wollesen, bassist Tina Kristina and guitarist Zeke Zima. A Wax Poetic performance offers sultry vocals, hypnotic rhythms and improvisational jazz instincts, creating a sophisticated, late-night atmosphere that bridges lounge, electronica and soul.