Acclaimed jazz trumpeter Jason Palmer, an assistant professor in Berklees Ensemble Department, has released more than a dozen collaborative instrumental tracks, with accompanying representative videos, in honor of Breonna Taylor. Taylor was an innocent EMT killed in March by police officers in Louisville, Kentucky, executing a no-knock warrant on her home.
Palmer was inspired by saxophonist John Ellis, who made a similar video to honor George Floyd, whose death by police violence has inspired protests and calls for racial justice around the world. Its the least I can do with what I believe is my calling at this time in my life in order to educate people on who Breonna is and the steps that need to be taken to ensure that her death is not in vain, said Palmer.
Students Jill Scott Cover Is a Call for Justice
Music therapy major Keira Smiths version of Scotts Watching Me was penned in solidarity with Black Lives Matter.
To launch the project, Palmer sent out a call to friends and musicians he admires and several artists quickly responded about making contributions to accompany the solo track he had recorded. There is a small melodic figure that represents each letter of her name, said Palmer, explaining the concept. She was shot eight times, so I did my best to leave eight seconds between each figure [for us] to play expressively. At the end, there is 26 seconds of space to improvise. She was 26 when she passed.
Collaborators on the different versions of the track include faculty pianists Kevin Harris and Jason Yeager, faculty guitarist David Fiuczynski, and drummer Austin McMahon.
Tracks also came in from musicians in various parts of the U.S.-California, New York, Washington, and Louisiana-and around the world, including England, France, and the Netherlands. Contributors include saxophonists Caroline Davis, Noah Preminger, and John Ellis; bassists Max Ridley M.M. '17, Edward Perez, Zack Lober, and Michael Janisch; drummer Tyson Jackson B.M. '19; vocalist Rachel Bade-McMurphy; and pianist Carmen Staaf.
Palmer encouraged the musicians to play as much as they'd like over the track-in the spaces and over the held chords in the trumpet part. The collaborations produced powerful and strikingly different results on each version of the track, even those with similar instrumentation.
I'm hoping this project will serve as a piece that can help in leaving the window open for systemic change to happen, in Breonna's case and throughout society, said Palmer. Ive already had several people message me, thanking me for bringing attention to Breonna and carrying through by signing petitions, donating, etc., because they saw one of my collaborations.
Watch Jason Palmer's collection of videos: Justice for Breonna Taylor Duos in Dedication.
Video of #SayHerName #BreonnaTaylor Musical Dedication Collaboration with Kevin Harris
About Jason Palmer Trumpeter, composer, and educator Jason Palmer is one of the most in-demand musicians of his generation. He has performed with artists including Roy Haynes, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Smith (the organist), Wynton Marsalis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and others. In addition to performing on over 40 albums as a sideman, Palmer has recorded 13 albums as a leader on labels Ayva, Steeplechase, Newvelle, and Giant Step Arts. He has toured in over 30 countries and is a 2019 Chamber Music America (CMA) New Jazz Works recipient.
Related categories:
News
Related Reading
Faculty Notes: Spring 2020 Recent accomplishments, releases, and events by Berklee faculty.
Berklee Acts Were Everywhere at Newport Jazz Newport Folk Festival's hip older sibling featured tons of Berklee alumni, students, and faculty.
Daedelus Joins Berklee Electronic Production and Design Department The acclaimed artist, DJ, and producer has worked with Diplo, Death Cab for Cutie, Flying Lotus, and more.
More from Berklee Now
Most Popular
Alumna Kirbys Viral Video Helped Bring Down Aunt Jemima Brand The video has been viewed 4.7 million times and has been credited with pushing Quaker Oats to scrap the brand of breakfast products.
Latest
Jason Palmer Releases Duo Collaborations in Honor of Breonna Taylor The faculty trumpeter collaborated with more than a dozen musicians, including Berklee faculty and alumni, on duo tracks dedicated to the EMT who was killed in March.
Berklee Creates Music and Health Repository The colleges Libraries and Learning Resources and Music and Health Institute have created the first-ever music and health repository in the field.
Berklee Alumni and Faculty Nominated for 2020 Emmy Awards Nominees include several prominent composers, sound mixers, and music editors for a wide range of programs.
Read All
Subscribe The latest sounds, stories, and ideas, sent to your inbox weekly.
Berklee Blogs
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
Snapchat
Soundcloud
Spotify
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, and engineers, today unveiled its educational presentations for the 2026 NAB Show. This year SMPTE will ...
18/03/2026
Maxon, maker of powerful, approachable software solutions for creators working in 2D and 3D design, motion graphics, visual effects, gaming, and more, today ann...
18/03/2026
Digital Alert Systems
Preview
2026 NAB Show
April 19 - 22
Booth C3452
At the 2026 NAB Show, Digital Alert Systems will showcase Version 6.0 of its DASDEC ...
18/03/2026
Setplex today announced that it will showcase its complete, fully integrated Zapflex platform for the first time at the 2026 NAB Show, introducing powerful new ...
18/03/2026
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES TO THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION THAT QUALIFIED OR MAY HAVE QUALIFIED AS INSIDE INFORMATION WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 7(1) OF THE ...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking DP for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Director of Photography for Low Budget Dramedy Fe...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Gaffer for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Gaffer for Low Budget Dramedy Feature Film- I...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Location, Sound for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Location/Sound for Low Budget Dramed...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Child Wrangler for Low Budget Film - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Child Wrangler for Low Budget Dramedy Fe...
18/03/2026
Calrec Redefines Broadcast Workflows at NAB 2026 with its Most Powerful Hardware...
18/03/2026
Oscar Nominated Two People Exchanging Saliva Posted with DaVinci Resolve Studio
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
DaVinci Resolve Studio handle...
18/03/2026
Boston Conservatory Presents Celebrated Musical Satire Urinetown Performances for this Center Stage production will take place at Boston Conservatory Theater ...
18/03/2026
Charlie Puth Joins Switched On Pop at Berklee NYC The Berklee alum spoke with host and Berklee NYC professor Charlie Harding for a live taping, answering audi...
17/03/2026
NASA+'s Rebecca Sirmons and Brittany Brown offer unique look at live streami...
17/03/2026
The transition to IP has fundamentally reshaped professional media infrastructures. Video, audio, and increasingly metadata now circulate as independent, precis...
17/03/2026
Live sports streaming can push every element in your video delivery chain to its limit, exposing every potential weakness in seconds. When the Super Bowl, the O...
17/03/2026
Texas Athletics sought to modernize its media production, enhance fan experience...
17/03/2026
Ikegami USA will demonstrate the latest additions to its wide range of broadcast...
17/03/2026
TNA Wrestling and iHeartMedia announces a new multi-platform collaboration that will integrate iHeartMedia across TNA's premium live events, weekly televisi...
17/03/2026
The goal was to transform Hard Rock Stadium into a global leader in sports and e...
17/03/2026
Spectrum has announced the launch of its new Multiview feature in the Spectrum TV App, giving customers the ability to watch up to four NCAA men's or women&...
17/03/2026
Genius Sports deal also covers data technology, AI, fan engagement, and performance analysis....
17/03/2026
Net Insight is supporting the rollout of a new state-wide centralized operation with Rede Massa, which is an SBT affiliate, the Brazilian regional television ne...
17/03/2026
Featuring audio from practice sessions, qualifying races, and Grand Prix races, the film represents Apple's sports-media ambitions
At Sunday night's Ac...
17/03/2026
Live broadcast has always been one of the most demanding environments in media a...
17/03/2026
DirecTV is introducing several new viewing features, including a multi-screen March Madness Mix channel and an updated Sports Central mobile app hub, ahead of...
17/03/2026
Deltatre has announced a multi-year partnership with ATP Media, the media arm of the ATP Tour, covering broadcast graphics, data, and production across the 2026...
17/03/2026
The Detroit Pistons have announced a third consecutive season partnering with Sc...
17/03/2026
Fresh Finds Africa spotlights emerging artists and movements across the continent and its global diaspora, with listeners tuning in to discover new Afro-forward...
17/03/2026
Last month, more than 60,000 fans piled into Bangkok's Rajamangala National ...
17/03/2026
Vintage-inspired channel strip joins line-up
Black Rooster Audio's latest plug-in provides an all-in-one mixing tool inspired by classic analogue consol...
17/03/2026
Level and EQ voice, reverb and noise independently
The latest plug-in to join Accentize's collection is said to take a new approach to dialogue processi...
17/03/2026
UHF radio mic & IEM bandwidth at risk
Once again, the UHF bandwidth that is currently allocated to RF audio gear is at risk of being reassigned to high-spee...
17/03/2026
Last Friday, the first Plant Fire Department Training Week in Bavaria successf...
17/03/2026
New campaign from NAATI and SBS CulturalConnnect highlights how we all deserve ...
17/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
17/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
17/03/2026
3D streaming infrastructure provider Miris today announced the launch of a public beta for its new 3D asset streaming platform. Miris is building the infrastruc...
Acclaimed jazz trumpeter Jason Palmer, an assistant professor in Berklees Ensemble Department, has released more than a dozen collaborative instrumental tracks, with accompanying representative videos, in honor of Breonna Taylor. Taylor was an innocent EMT killed in March by police officers in Louisville, Kentucky, executing a no-knock warrant on her home.
