The Jazz Gallery Presents: Luke Carlos O'Reilly

Photo courtesy of the artist.

This Saturday, Orrin Evans’ Imani Records imprint continues to celebrate their artist roster at The Jazz Gallery with a performance by pianist Luke Carlos O’Reilly. Born in Colombia and raised in Boston, O’Reilly has been based in Philadelphia since studying at Temple University.

Last year, O’Reilly released his third album as a leader, I Too Sing America: A Black Man’s Diary on which whirlwind original compositions merge with his forceful political convictions. An emphatic call that Black Lives Matter, O’Reilly describes the album:

With this suite of music, several stories are told and many lives are honored. Although only a few names appear in the program of the thousands of men and women who have recently lost their lives or lost their loved ones to an unjust system, all of those [a]ffected are ultimately represented in the music and movements. The music is meant to not only pay homage to, but to lift up those who are no longer with us. With the performance of these new works, we the composers hope to bring some comfort to those who feel unrest and to bring some unrest to those who feel comfortable.

Before hearing O’Reilly perform this stirring work at the Gallery, check out the band’s record release celebration at Smalls from spring 2021, below.

Luke Carlos O’Reilly plays The Jazz Gallery on Saturday, July 16, 2022. Mr. O’Reilly, piano, will be joined by Josh Evans on trumpet, Chris McBride on alto saxophone, Nimrod Elab Speaks on bass, and Mark Whitfield Jr. on drums. Sets are at 7:30 and 9:30 P.M. E.D.T. $15 general admission ($10 for members, FREE for SUMMERPASS holders), $25 reserved table seating ($20 for members), $10 for SUMMERPASS holders), $20 livestream access ($5 for members) for each set. Purchase tickets here.