The Lesson GK

Community. Magic. Life changing. Church. Home. These are just a sample of words used to describe those who have experienced live performances by The Lesson GK – a NYC-based group comprised of a vocalist, producer/drummer, emcees and instrumentalists.

The Lesson GK started a collaborative weekly jam session in 2012 which has become the cornerstone of the NYC underground hip hop scene. The band’s secondary name “Gentei Kaijo” (Japanese for “limitation cancellation”) perfectly captures the ethos of the fully improvised experimental hip-hop, jazz, R&B, funk and progressive soul experience that proudly challenges both the artists and the crowd to become the best version of themselves by taking notice of their neighbor – regardless of cultural background, race, occupation and orientation – and learning about them in a space that fosters family.

The Lesson GK has grown beyond its highly acclaimed weekly NYC show, sharing its rare art with the world on tour and through its recordings.

David Cutler (Bass) - @davidcutlerbass | Past work: Meshell Ndegecello, Joey Bada$$, SZA, Iggy Azalea, TI, Talib Kweli, Mino Cinelu, Bilal

Nicholas Semrad (Keys) - @nicholastsemrad | Past work: Cory Henry and the Funk Apostles, Lauryn Hill, Terrace Martin, Liv Warfield, Bilal, Talib Kweli, Mono Neon, Gabriel Garzon-Montano

Christian Almiron (Keys) - @xtianalmiron | Past work: Fifth Harmony, Joey Bada$$, Liv Warfield, Lupe Fiasco, Talib Kweli

Phase One (MC) - @phaseonemusic | Past work: Black Star (Mos Def/Talib Kweli), Talib Kweli (solo), Thundercat, Bilal, Reggie Watts, Quest Love, Big Pooh (formerly of Little Brother), Lords Of The, Underground, Sunny Moon, Ras Kas, Skyzoo, Malcolm Barrett, Red Alert, Célia Faussart (Les Nubians), Slum Village, Chris Turner, Ray Angry

Jonathan Hoard (Vocals) - @jhoardmusic | Past work: Bilal, Sonnymoon/Anna Wise, The Stepkids, Kimbra, Pharoahe Monch

Lenny “The Ox” Reece (Drums, Group Leader) – @theoxgram | Past work: DJ Premier, Joey Bada$$, Kimbra, Run DMC, LunchMoney Lewis, Jeremih, Fabolous, Bilal, Estelle, Stella Santana, Big Yuki, Demi Lovato

Julian "J3PO" Pollack (Keyboards/Production/Mixing) - @iamj3po | Past work: J3PO, Miranda Joan, Mike "Maz" Maher (Snarky Puppy), Amanda Brown (Adele), John Pizzarelli, Grace Kelly, NPR's "Piano Jazz," Stella Santana, Greg Holden, Grace Weber, and Carrie Manolakos