Jonathan Baptiste & The Urban Intellectuals

Jonathan Baptiste& The Urban Intellectuals

Jonathan Baptiste is a bassist/ composer based in Jacksonville, Florida. His group, The Urban Intellectuals is built with some of finest musicians Florida has to offer. The phrase “Urban Intellectuals” derived from the phrase “Urban Renewal,” often criticized by the great James Baldwin, which was a tactic used in the 60s that relocated a majority of African Americans into what we now know as the projects. Those “urban” individuals that refused to just go with the flow and to enlighten their communities is what sparked the name: The Urban Intellectuals.

Jonathan Baptiste & The Urban Intellectuals look to educate and inspire people with their music. The band endeavors to set a consistent example and be role models to inner city kids—showing them that they can make music and be creative—no matter their skin color.