Asante
Santi Debriano

Asante Santi Debriano’s extensive discography features collaborations with jazz legends such as Archie Shepp, Kenny Clarke, Mal Waldron, Kirk Lightsey, Chico Freeman, Arthur Blythe, David Murray, Oliver Lake, Baikida Carroll, Cecil Taylor, Sam Rivers, Hank Jones, Elvin Jones, Pharaoh Sanders, Randy Weston, and Joe Lovano. His ability to navigate various jazz idioms has made him a sought-after sideman and a respected leader in his own right.

Among his most notable projects is Asante Santi Debriano’s Arkestra Bembe, an eight-piece ensemble that merges jazz with Afro-Caribbean influences. Their latest album, Ashanti, was released on Jojo Records and has received critical acclaim. The Arkestra debuted at the Hamptons Jazz Festival in 2021.

His other projects include:

Flash of the Spirit, a sextet featuring world-class jazz musicians, whose album remained in the top 10 of the Jazz Weekly charts for 14 weeks.
Castle Magic, a trio of double bassists where he serves as composer, soloist, and director.
Organ Quartet, featuring vocalist Nina Shankar, in which Asante Santi Debriano frequently performs on guitar.
Asante Santi Debriano has also performed at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center, a premier venue for jazz in New York, further solidifying his presence in the jazz capital of the world.

Contributions to Jazz Education and Film
A passionate educator, Asante Santi Debriano has been invited to hold seminars and masterclasses at institutions such as Wesleyan University, The New School for Jazz, New York University, the University of Panama, and the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. He has also authored two instructional books on jazz bass, available on Amazon.

His contributions extend beyond performance and education into film. He participated in two documentary films by French filmmaker Marc Huraux, Check the Changes and Bird Now, and appeared in the Canadian jazz film Imagine the Sound alongside Archie Shepp.

Legacy and Recognition
Asante Santi Debriano’s work has been featured on esteemed jazz labels including Highnote, Savant, Freelance, and Motema Records. Several of his concerts have been broadcast on WBGO, WNYC, and National Public Radio. He also serves as a jury member for the YoungArts National Jazz Competition, helping to shape the next generation of jazz musicians.

Deeply influenced by Duke Ellington, Ornette Coleman, Charles Mingus, and Israel Cachao Lopez, among others, Asante Santi Debriano continues to be a vital force in the evolution of jazz. He teaches privately from his home in Staten Island, NY, sharing his wealth of experience with aspiring musicians.

Asante Santi Debriano remains a dynamic presence in jazz, always pushing creative boundaries while honoring the rich traditions of the genre.