Tomeka Reid Quartet
“…a vibrant showcase not only for the cellist’s improvisational acumen, but also her knack for dynamic arrangements and her compositional ability.” – Thirsty Ear
A newly minted MacArthur “Genius”, Tomeka Reid is one of the most original, versatile, and curious musicians to emerge from Chicago’s bustling jazz and improvised music community over the last decade. As a cellist, composer, and bandleader, Reid melds the Western classical tradition with modes rooted in the African diaspora and avant-garde to produce a rich and textured palette of sounds. She participates in several musical groups as a member or bandleader and composes and arranges works for small and large ensembles with varied instrument combinations. Reid released her debut recording as a bandleader, Tomeka Reid Quartet, in 2015 with the Tomeka Reid Quartet, featuring herself (cello), Jason Roebke (bass), Mary Halvorson (guitar), and Tomas Fujiwara (drums). Their second album, Old New, was released in October 2019 and a new record is anticipated in 2024.
