Dexter Story

Multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and ethnomusicologist Dexter Story is a pillar of the Los Angeles creative music scene. Known for a sound that bridges the spiritual jazz of the West Coast with the intricate rhythms and modes of the Horn of Africa, Story’s career spans decades as a high-level collaborator, industry executive, and visionary solo artist. Named after jazz giant Dexter Gordon, Story’s versatility has made him a first-call sideman and producer for a global roster of icons. His credits include work with Dwight Trible, Kamasi Washington, Sudan Archives, Madlib, Kelis and Sa-Ra Creative Partners. His production touch is equally influential, helming Daymé Arocena’s Cubafonia (2017) and Mulatu Astatke’s Mulatu Plays Mulatu (2025). Story’s solo discography on Soundway Records—including Wondem (2015) and Bahir (2019)—represents a deep, scholarly, and soulful immersion into northeast African music. These works, often co-produced with longtime collaborator Carlos Niño, blend Afro-funk, Sudanese and Somali soul, and Ethio-Jazz into a singular "Afro-diasporic sonic worldview." In 2024, Story received his Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology, further cementing his role as a bridge between academic research and the dancefloor. This academic and creative evolution culminates in a highly anticipated new album on Soundway, scheduled for release in Summer 2026.