Who is Skinny Hightower? | The Man Behind Blue Moon and Mind Over Matter

Skinny Hightower is a musician, music producer, and poet born in 1985 in Wichita, KS. His affinity for music began at the tender age of 2 where he would often be found playing the Drums while sitting on his Father's lap. However, Skinny didn't stop there because at the age of 8 Hightower picked up the Keys and 4 years later added the Bass Guitar. He is for all intents and purposes a one man Smooth Jazz band.

Where Did Jazz Musician Skinny Hightower Get His Name?​

"Hightower" Comes From The Steve Harvey Show​

To understand the name, we first have to travel back to the late 1990's when the American sitcom "The Steve Harvey Show" was in its prime. Steve Hightower (played by Steve Harvey) was a High School music teacher who fronted the 1970's fictional funk band "Steve Hightower and the High Tops". The fictional band had several hit singles such as "When the Funk Hits the Fan" and "Break Me Off a Piece of That Funk" that they would perform on the show. This sitcom was a staple in Black American households thus making Steve Hightower a staple in Black pop culture.

"Skinny" Comes From His Physical Appearance While in the US Army​

While in the US Army a few of Skinny's peers found out that he was a musician and thus gave him a nickname that combined his physique "Skinny" with the main character of The Steve Harvey Show "Hightower".

What Instrument Does Skinny Hightower Play?​

While Skinny Hightower is most known for his work as a Smooth Jazz Pianist, he is also a skilled Bassist and Drummer. Skinny actually began his musical journey as a Drummer but was influenced by his Mother (a classically trained pianist) which led him to the Piano.

One of the reasons why Skinny has not been on tour is due to him not feeling completely comfortable behind the keyboard. Up until Blue Moon he considered the Drums and the Bass as his first loves but he vows to change that with the release of Mind Over Matter.

What Other Genres Does Skinny Play?​

Skinny is an extremely versatile artist and producer that creates music in styles such as: Hip Hop, R&B, and other Black American genres.

Where Does Skinny Hightower Rank on the 6ZEROS Smooth Jazz Smoothness Scale?​

The Discography of Smooth Jazz Pianist Skinny Hightower​

Cloud Nine (2016)​

Cloud Nine was Hightower's first album which he wrote, produced, and recorded while in the United States Army. Tracks such as "Rainy Days" and "The Strut" gave listeners a glimpse of what Skinny had in store for them on subsequent albums.

Emotions (2017)​

Skinny's sophomore effort built upon the groundwork laid by Cloud Nine with songs such as "In the Moment", "Jubilee", and Billboard #1 single " Taboo". As a whole, the record was a bit more cohesive than Cloud Nine without sacrificing the rhythm or becoming overly smooth. Tracks like "Evolver" and "Storms" showed how Hightower was able to easily fuse in other genres such as Hip Hop into his recording. This was the album where Hightower showed that he was an artist that was ready to make his mark in the world of Smooth Jazz.

Retrospect (2018)​

Retrospect saw Skinny continuously evolve as an artist with a warmer sound, diversity in melody, and increased tempo. Standouts such as "Optimistic", "One Way Street", and "From the Heart" highlight this shift in tone and tempo and were the precursor to one of his greatest works to-date....

Blue Moon (2020)​

Blue Moon took what worked on the last 3 albums and perfected it. Skinny states that he studied the Mizell Brothers and other 1970's acts heavily while working on Blue Moon. You can definitely hear it in songs such as "Blow" which takes you back to War or "Midnight" which sounds like a modern day Miles Davis. Blue Moon was Skinny's most successful album to-date earning the following charting singles:

• Bittersweet - #3 on Billboard
• Blue Moon - #1 on Billboard
• Now or Never - #1 on Billboard

Mind Over Matter (2023)​

Mind Over Matter is Skinny's latest work and is slated to release in the Fall 2023. Skinny states that it is the first album that. he has truly taken the keys serious. If the first single "Groove Factor" is any indication, we have to say he is right on the money. On it you can expect Skinny to hold down most of the rhythm section as he is featured on Drums and Bass all through-out the album. Be sure to read our review of the lead single and subsequent album at a later date.

Additional Information on Skinny Hightower​

Site: https://www.skinnyhightower.com

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