Eugene Rhynie (born February 7, 1953),[1][2][3] known professionally as T. K. Blue (or Talib Kibwe and other variants), is an American jazz saxophonist, flautist, composer and educator from New York City.
[5] At Jazz Interactions, Blue studied with Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Yusef Lateef and Joe Newman, and at the Henry Street Settlement with Billy Mitchell and bassist Paul West.
His more recent recordings as leader include 2008's Follow the North Star, a suite inspired by the life of Solomon Northup (commissioned by the New York State Council on the Arts), Latin Bird (2011 – "Highly recommended" by AllMusic's reviewer Ken Dryden),[9] and in 2014 A Warm Embrace,[10] about which Don Bilawsky on All About Jazz has written: "Blue's skills as an arranger, perhaps more than anything else, are responsible for the success of this project, as he's able to create beauty from simplicity at times.... A Warm Embrace is simply a beautiful work of art.
[15] Augmenting his long-term relationships as musical director with Weston, as well as with the Spirit of Life Ensemble at New York's Sweet Basil jazzclub,[16] Blue's other recent affiliations include: Odadaa, a group led by a drummer from Ghana, Yacub Addy; percussionist Norman Hedman's pan-African band Tropique; tap dancer Joseph's Tap and Rap, to jazz tunes by Charlie Parker and John Coltrane; and emerging singer Jeffrey Smith.
"[20] Blue's most recent album, Planet Bluu, was released in October 2024 to further positive reviews, described by The Arts Fuse as a "multigenerational affair...a fun and engaging listen as the seasoned pros pass the tradition to the next generation.
"[23] With Arkadia Jazz All-Stars With Jayne Cortez and The Firespitters With Abdullah Ibrahim With Benny Powell With Sam Rivers With Jimmy Scott With The Spirit of Life Ensemble With Randy Weston