The official release date of the new version of the ancestrally inspired single is February 6.
Flutist and veteran arranger David Crawford — whose credits include Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight, Mary J. Blige, and Bill Withers — marks Black History Month with a newly remixed version of his single “African Nouveau,” officially arriving February 6.
Since releasing “African Nouveau” last fall, Crawford has been listening closely to feedback from colleagues, promoters, and fans — and the message was unmistakable: listeners wanted his flute pushed to the forefront.
“On the original version, I shared the leads with the gifted trumpeter Nolan Shaheed, a longtime friend and collaborator. Nolan played with Marvin Gaye, Miles Davis, and Earth, Wind & Fire, and I wanted his sound to offer another perspective in a conversation. The feedback I received was that people wanted to hear more flute. Nolan plays beautifully on the new version, but my flute takes the primary lead voice now,” explained Crawford.
Inspired by the continent he calls his “ancestral beginnings,” Crawford created “African Nouveau,” a vibrant, rhythm‑forward piece. He filled the track with traditional African melodies and rhythms and layered in the distinctly American sounds of modern jazz and R&B.
“African Nouveau” is the first release from Crawford’s forthcoming debut album, Something Borrowed, Something New. He plans to roll out several singles ahead of the album’s release.
A native of Compton, California who now lives in Las Vegas, Crawford earned a master’s degree in music at California Institute of the Arts. He’s a composer, producer, and arranger. Crawford produced Vesta Williams’ Billboard R&B top ten single “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” and several tracks from R&B group Woods Empire. He has performed with Stevie Wonder and Isaac Hayes, and recorded with Ahmad Jamal and The Temptations. A seasoned orchestral performer, he has appeared with the Afro‑American Chamber Music Society Orchestra, Santa Monica Symphony, and Burbank Philharmonic.
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