© 2026 WRVO Public Media
NPR News for Central New York
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Trio of albums gives saxophonist Charles Lloyd the opportunity to search inward

Saxophonist Charles Lloyd, performing at the Monterey Jazz Festival in Monterey, Calif., on Sept. 23, 2018.
Eva Hambach
/
AFP via Getty Images
Saxophonist Charles Lloyd, performing at the Monterey Jazz Festival in Monterey, Calif., on Sept. 23, 2018.

Charles Lloyd, now 84, has lived many lives. Over the decades, the saxophone virtuoso has blurred the lines between jazz and popular music, playing with B.B. King, Cannonball Adderley, The Beach Boys and The Grateful Dead – and he's still flowing with music.

Cover art for Lloyd's album <em>Chapel</em>.
/ Courtesy Blue Note Records
/
Courtesy Blue Note Records
Cover art for Lloyd's album Chapel.

This year, Lloyd is releasing three different albums featuring three different trio ensembles. The first album in the series, Chapel, recorded with guitarist Bill Frisel and bassist Thomas Morgan comes out Friday. Ocean, featuring pianist Geral Clayton and guitarist Anthony Wilson, comes out Aug 26. Sacred Thread, the final trio featuring guitarist Julian Lage and percussionist Zakir Hussain, comes out Oct 28.

Lloyd says creating and recording them gave him an opportunity to search inward.

To hear the full story, use the audio player at the top of this page.

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Recent cuts to federal funding are challenging our mission to serve central and upstate New York with trusted journalism, vital local coverage, and the diverse programming that informs and connects our communities. This is the moment to join our community of supporters and help keep journalists on the ground, asking hard questions that matter to our region.

Stand with public media and make your gift today—not just for yourself, but for all who depend on WRVO as a trusted resource and civic cornerstone in central and upstate New York.