Grammy-nominated soul stylist and electronic music wizard Jamie Lidell has released a live performance video for “The Center,” recorded live in Turner Recital Hall on March 27, 2025, and featuring Blair student and faculty performers. The song is the lead single from Lidell’s upcoming album, Places of Unknowing, marking his first release in nine years.
The new music emerged during the pandemic when Lidell, a longtime Nashville resident, began studying piano with Blair faculty member Pascal Le Boeuf. Stepping away from digital production, he immersed himself in writing at the piano, composing a deeply personal collection of songs. Blair percussionists Ji Hye Jung and Lee Vinson inspired the use of a wider palette of tones in the music. Many of the lyrics came from his wife, artist Lindsey Rome, whose words he transformed into music. The resulting album represents one of Lidell’s most intimate and expressive works to date.
Places of Unknowing features performances by Blair faculty members Ji Hye Jung (percussion), Lee Vinson (percussion), Pascal Le Boeuf (piano), and Molly Barth (flute), along with Blair ’23 alum cellist Griffin Seuter. The project also includes contributions from internationally recognized Nashville musicians keyboardist Rob Burger and bassist Ethan Jodziewicz. In addition to showcasing many of the original performers, the live premiere concert highlighted the talents of Blair students Catie Brenmark, Pierce Pearson, Pierce Ruch, Milo Holcombe Pomerance, Terry Li, Lindsay Glaccum, Maya Mueller, Trenton Brink, Jonathan Jesalva, Sofia Velinzon, and Alexandra Holloway.