Today we’d like to introduce you to Jaime Hinckson.
Jaime, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am, quite simply, a jazz pianist with a deeply rooted reggae soul.
Born and raised in Miami, Florida to Jamaican parents, my music takes inspiration from the artistically rich heritage of the islands. From Erroll Garner all the way to Jay Dilla, I was exposed to the gamut of genres growing up. I started playing piano at age seven when I met my “angel in disguise,” Joan McMorris. “Miss Mac,” as we affectionately called her, planted the seed of music in my life that would grow into something I never imagined. We mainly studied rudiments and classical music, but once I discovered the sweet sounds of pianists like Monty Alexander, I found my true calling – Jazz. I went on to study under Miss Mac’s best friend, Leslie Butler, a man known as “one of the most ingenious pianists to ever come out of Jamaica.”
By the time I was in high school, I had performed at several large-scale events including the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in Montego Bay, Jamaica where I played on the main stage alongside popular artists including John Legend, Patti LaBelle, Al Green and Air Supply.
Despite a long musical break for college studies, I eventually released my first self-produced reggae jazz album, Take Flight, in 2013. Since then, I have not looked back. After dropping a few singles and weaving between styles, I dropped my 2020 sophomore album, Take Time; a classic hip hop jazz experience for lo-fi enthusiasts and audiophiles alike. Familiar in both worlds, my musical signature can be heard across the globe on a variety of collaborations in multiple genres. Raising the bar in 2022, I recently released my latest reggae jazz project, Fresh Produce, in tandem with an assortment of international remixes that are keeping listeners buzzing over the launch of my new label, Miss Mac Music.
Aside from my work in the studio, I travel the world as keyboardist and musical director for Julian Marley’s band “The Uprising.” You can also catch me jamming on stage with other notable reggae artists like The Wailers, Hollie Cook, Jesse Royal, and The Wailing Souls, to name a few.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
A smooth road would be too boring! Falling in a pothole and puncturing a tire makes you appreciate when the road is clear. Even more, that is where most of the inspiration for the music comes from. The emotion to tell the story of that flat tire pours out through my instrument, melodies flowing through my thoughts down into my fingers. That’s when you get the grit, the soul; pulling from genuine experiences.
Running into obstacles is a common theme in the music business but it’s most important to learn from each of them. I have run into many roadblocks throughout my journey that test my willingness to push forward. Whether financially or emotionally, you come to the same point where you have to ask yourself.. “how bad do you want it?” Fortunately, I have been resilient enough to release a few albums and achieve new accolades over the years. Big thanks to all the obstacles that continue to guide my path, leading me exactly where I need to be.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Since releasing my debut album in 2013, my hunger for producing new musical projects has become insatiable. A dash of a snare drum, a pinch of bass line, two handfuls of piano licks; my sound can be heard across the globe on a variety of collaborations.
I am most driven by my recent accomplishment of launching an independent music label. Separate from my personal projects, it is one of my greatest pleasures to introduce the world to new talent that I get to hand-pick myself. Miss Mac Music continues the legacy of my piano teacher, Joan McMorris, better known as ‘Miss Mac.’ The label stands above the rest due to its diverse repertoire of songs, written in a medley of colorful languages and exotic dialects. Fusing unique collaborations in Amharic, Portuguese, and German, Miss Mac is the reassurance that music is the true universal language, no matter the genre or demographic. It makes the world a smaller place, transcending race, color, social status, political affiliation; music knows no bounds.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Just reach out! I always look forward to meeting new artists and hearing their musical perspectives. I am only a click away:
Spotify artist page: https://open.spotify.
Apple Music artist page: https://music.apple.com/
Contact Info:
- Website: jaimehinckson.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/jahinckson
- Facebook: facebook.com/jahinckson
- Youtube: youtube.com/jahinckson
Image Credits
Keri-Ann Chin-Sang Keith Walker Hana Tesfaye Lelago
