I was fortunate to conduct an interview with Easton resident, composer and musician, Khaleel Mandel, about his unique and innovative music.
What got you started on your musical journey that you can recall from some of your earliest memories?
“I have a few different early influences. Jaco Pastorious had an album called “The Birthday Concert” with live songs after he left Weather Report. The intro called “Soul Intro/The Chicken” was a song whose melodies I memorized by three years old or so. There’s footage of me singing it with some instrument in my old living room.
By six or seven years old, I’d reenact Prince concerts in my room with stuffed animals as my band members. I created a whole set up, with toy guitars, and whatever I could find for fake drum sets. My VHS tapes would act as imaginary synthesizers and keyboards. I would play a toy red guitar that was supposed to be Prince’s Hohner Telecaster.
Growing up in Bridgeport, I was in a choir with kids in my age group and took piano lessons. My fascination with album credits wasn’t solely spawned from my cd collection, but instead, from going to studio sessions with my father and seeing who’s responsible for the specific task in person. I was able to witness which brands of instruments musicians felt most comfortable playing.
From there, I was able to get a better understanding of why something like a Music Man StingRay Bass resonated with handfuls of bassists throughout time. When I started picking up instruments on my own, those sessions I sat in helped for across the board frames of references.
My parents, both musicians, took me to see live shows when I was in elementary school, such as Regina Carter, Angélique Kidjo, and Ivan Neville. I saw the Prince Musicology Tour live, as well. That moment sealed it for me. I would wear the T-Shirt from that tour to school on ‘Casual Fridays.’
To dwindle it down, I’d say my senior year of high school in 2013 really opened the gate for me. That was the year I became dedicated to crafting my catalog. There were styles I wanted to pursue that I wasn’t hearing anywhere. Instead of complaining about what I felt was absent, 2013 was my chance to find my lightning in a bottle. “
Who are some of your musical influences?
“The album “Faces,” by Earth Wind & Fire. Allison of Dawn Richards music, the Stax Records catalog. I went to the Stax museum in Memphis when I was nine, back in 2004. Ludacris’s discography is a cornerstone of my life soundtrack.”
Your music seems very eclectic. Is that intentional? Are you influenced by more than one genre?
“It’s all in the music family tree. Sacred music, work songs, rural spiritual, choir/quartet and syncopated dance music are the roots of every genre you hear. I’m just sticking to the roots of it all. Different forms of expression is what musicianship stems from. From country western to delta blues, then comes rock, and funk.
The core of everything, however, is the soul. As long as my soul is expressed throughout my music, I know I’m leading with my intentions and capabilities.
Classical roots can be better explained at a place like MIM in Phoenix. They have instruments dating pre baroque periods. Places such as these, promote what true essence is. Pictures I saw from some of their exhibits is what made me dive into the music of French-Caribbean musician Joseph Bologne and Chevalier de Saint-Georges.”
Did Chevalier motivate you to compose your Classical Concerto from 2021?
“Yes. I can compose a knocking hip hop track that some of our own most efficient MCs can rap on, then I can turn around to compose something I can perform with an orchestra I’m conducting.
I thought that could be a way to honor Chevalier. I have more concertos to put out, and I can’t wait to conduct a full piece orchestra for a chamber hall performance.”
Have you seen the movie about him?
“I still have to, but I love how there’s more awareness being brought to his name in ways after I mentioned him on [fourth album, Philharmonic]. At the end of the day, I’m staying on board with more presentations, particularly of black musicians who are responsible for the music family tree’s roots.
My hope is that modern day curriculum for grade, middle, and high school ages, would include people like Saint-Georges.”
What’s the importance of young musicians being mindful of different musical cultural traditions of African and Black American cultural traditions?
“These are the roots of the music family tree. Young musicians need to develop a true respect for these art forms. Enjoying music based on feelings, is a part of musical appreciation. When the respect levels are added on top of that, there is much more of a context. Research brings context, and my favorite albums are contextual.”
Do you see yourself as an innovator in the music field?
“Music is spirit, and I’m the only person on earth who has my individual spirit. So, I just take it from there. Whatever I haven’t seen being made, I just make it myself instead of complaining about not seeing it.
On all of my albums, anything you’ve heard me say, I’ve said first. Anything you’ve heard me compose, I’ve composed first. Any artwork from me, is the first of its kind.”
The music industry can be known for affecting artists’ mental health. How do you find yourself navigating that side of the field?
“For me, Connecticut surroundings have contributed to me staying grounded and on task all these years. Maybe it’s because this is my home state, and I feel the most like myself when I’m here.”
Do you see yourself ever writing your own musical for stage or Broadway ?
“Yes. So far, I have provided the score for a Massachusetts stage adaptation of Othello. It was on September 29 and 30 in 2023, at Massasoit.”
Khaleel has received an iTunes top 100 number one record. The lead single, “Chaser and Attracter,” is from his sixth solo studio album, “Connecticut Chronicles.” His single was also released number one in the UK. Khaleel is the first independent Connecticut artist to achieve this status.
“Connecticut Chronicles,” is a Country-Funk LP and an ode to the state. It’s entirely composed and produced by Khaleel and came out last year.
The Cultural Easton 