“Vine” is an album by Chris Cheek, recorded on December 20 and 21, 1999, at Avatar Studios, New York City, and released on Fresh Sound New Talent Vinyl as a double 180-gram audiophile LP in gatefold format (FSNT-071). This remastered edition, produced by Cheek and Jorge Rossy, with engineering by James Farber, highlights the saxophone’s clarity. The lineup features Chris Cheek (tenor and soprano saxophone), Brad Mehldau (piano, Fender Rhodes), Kurt Rosenwinkel (guitar), Matt Penman (bass), and Jorge Rossy (drums). The album includes eight original compositions by Cheek, such as So It Seems, Vine, Ice Fall, and The Wing Key. The music is contemporary jazz with post-bop and Latin rhythm elements, with Cheek’s saxophone lyrical and expressive, and Mehldau and Rosenwinkel’s solos adding harmonic depth. The vinyl, a limited edition, is prized for its detailed sound, capturing the energy of the 1990s New York scene. “Vine” is a vibrant debut, showcasing Cheek’s compositional and performative talent.
Chris Cheek (born September 16, 1968) is an American saxophonist and composer, a prominent figure in contemporary jazz. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, he began playing saxophone in his youth, inspired by Charlie Parker and Stan Getz. Moving to New York in the 1980s, Cheek became part of the vibrant jazz scene, collaborating with Paul Motian, Charlie Haden, and Brad Mehldau. His style is marked by a lyrical, fluid tone and deep melodic sensibility, making him a sought-after soloist and sideman. Cheek recorded several albums as a leader, including Vine, his debut on Fresh Sound New Talent, which solidified his reputation as one of his generation’s most promising saxophonists. He continues to perform and teach, inspiring jazz musicians worldwide.
TRACKLIST
Side A
1. So It Seems 9:11
2. Vine 6:39
Side B
1. Ice Fall 7:57
2. Granada 10:35
Side C
1. Reno 7:33
2. The Wing Key 13:06
Side D
1. What’s Left 8:56
2. Not a Samba 9:31
Personnel:
Chris Cheek (tenor & soprano sax), Brad Mehldau (piano, Fender Rhodes), Kurt Rosenwinkel (guitar), Matt Penman (bass), Jorge Rossy (drums).
Recorded at Avatar Studios, New York City, December 20 & 21, 1999
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