Sly5thAve

Sly5thAve is the project of multi-instrumentalist, producer, arranger and composer Sylvester Uzoma Onyejiaka II, whose sophisticated compositions are shaped by his faith in hip hop, and deep understanding of soul, R&B and jazz. With a core underground following, Grammy award-winning horns player Sly5thAve’s projects have been backed by Jarobi White (A Tribe Called Quest), Gilles Peterson, Downbeat, Noisey, NPR, The Fader, Jazz Times, Indie Shuffle, EARMILK and more. He has collaborated with the likes of Ash Walker, JSWISS and Roberto Verástegui, and attained much respect from his work with a host of highly-fêted musicians including; Prince, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Taylor Swift, Janelle Monae, Questlove, Freddie Gibbs and Quantic. Moving to New York after attending Jazz school, Sly5thAve met many of his future collaborators at The Clubhouse in Brooklyn, New York. Home to a host of New York talent, including Freddie Gibbs, Theophilus London, Sene, Denitia and Homeboy Sandman, it is largely responsible for his entire sound. Sly5thAve's musical inspirations span the worlds of jazz and hip hop, with icons like John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, and Cannonball Adderley influencing his artistic journey. His orchestral tribute to Dr. Dre, ‘The Invisible Man’ (Tru Thoughts) garnered widespread praise and attention, even earning the admiration of Dr. Dre himself.