MODER NOSTALGIC JAZZ 90’s, 2000’s 2010’s
Nostalgic Playlist is a fresh-and-familiar band with a mission: to revive the songs we grew up loving — and to re-imagine them in a smart, soulful jazz context. Led by keyboardist and visionary Darryl Joseph Dennie, the group features Anthony Wisdom on bass, Joseph Callender on saxophone & flute, and David Richards on drums.
From the outset, Nostalgic Playlist’s concept was clear: take classic hits of the late ’80s and ’90s — think Usher, Aaliyah, Ashanti, Pharrell, Ja Rule — and transform them through the lens of jazz, improvisation, and deep musical chemistry.
The story of the band’s formation speaks to trust, vision, and long-standing relationships. Darryl had carried the idea in his head for over a decade, until the time was right to bring together musicians he already trusted — and the sound took off naturally from there.
Each member brings a distinct voice to the ensemble. Anthony’s gospel-rooted bass lines provide a foundation grounded in rhythm and soul. “I’m from a gospel background,” he notes, “and that’s what shaped the sound.”
Joseph calls the band’s name “the name says it all,” pointing to their shared childhood-listening legacy and the way they channel it into modern jazz explorations.
David wants the audience to feel something tangible — “like biting into a roti that reminds one of their childhood years spent in Trinidad” — capturing how the group blends musical craft with emotional memory.
What makes Nostalgic Playlist stand out? For one, spontaneity. Mid-set, Darryl may surprise the band with an unexpected tune, and they’ll respond in real time — improvising, stretching, and re-shaping the known into something new. Audiences who say “Jazz isn’t for me” often leave saying, “That was amazing.”
If the band were to sum themselves up in a single word (or a small galaxy of words), they land on: Spontaneous. Fresh. Creative. Familiar. Engaging. Memorable. Exciting. Family. Intellectual. Nostalgic.
