Originally hailing from St. Louis, Missouri, Chris Cheek, born in 1968, is one of the most sought after saxophonists in the jazz world today, having played in the groups of legends such as Paul Motian, Charlie Haden, Steve Swallow and Bill Frisell. Known for his lyricism, and a warm, distinctive sound, he is a refreshingly individual musician, whose albums Saturday Songs (Sunnyside), I Wish I Knew, A Girl Named Joe, Vine, and Blues Cruise (Fresh Sound) have all received rave reviews internationally, and become favorites among players and listeners alike. He is also co-leader of the bands Rudder, the Bloomdaddies and Reeds Ramble. A long time member of Guillermo Klein’s Los Guachos, Chris has also recorded and performed with the big bands of Dafnis Prieto, Alan Ferber and Miguel Zenon.
Chris’ music encompasses a wide vista, firmly rooted in the jazz tradition with a foot towards the unknown. As Steve Swallow and Carla Bley put it: “On the one hand, he’s the very embodiment of gentle, graceful lyricism. But he’s unable to resist the urge to subvert. He’s a master of the sucker punch; just when he’s convinced you that things couldn’t be sweeter, he’ll play something that jolts you right back to real life, something as direct and succinct as an uppercut.”
