As European settlers pushed westward from the Atlantic coast, the Mohawk people, the easternmost tribe of the Iroquois Confederacy, earned the title “Keepers of the Eastern Door” for their role in protecting their lands from encroaching colonizers. This historical struggle between those who live in harmony with nature and those who exploit it remains ever-relevant.
In his upcoming album Keepers of the Eastern Door, acclaimed saxophonist and composer Chris Cheek channels this dynamic. The album's cover, featuring Edward Curtis' photograph The Kutenai Duck Hunter, evokes these themes of balance, as a lone canoeist gazes toward an uncertain future in the reflection of the water.
Cheek’s musical exploration, set for release on May 23, 2025 via Analog Tone Factory, delves deep into this cultural and ecological tension. The album features a remarkable quartet, with Cheek joined by guitar legend Bill Frisell, bassist Tony Scherr, and drummer Rudy Royston. Together, they craft a sonic journey that spans captivating originals alongside covers from diverse artists, including The Beatles, Henry Purcell, and Olivier Messiaen.
The concept for Keepers of the Eastern Door was inspired by another Curtis photograph of Native Americans in Canyon de Chelly. Cheek, who grew up in St. Louis, felt a profound connection to the natural world and the tension between it and the industrialized society he later inhabited. The album's title reflects this dichotomy, as Cheek explores the idea of preserving traditional ways of life that are deeply in tune with nature.
Recorded live to analog tape at New York’s Power Station studio, the album perfectly embodies the modernist/traditional balance it seeks to capture. With Frisell’s unique sound and Cheek’s lyrical saxophone, the quartet explores the richness of the natural world through a blend of classical, jazz, and contemporary influences. Masterfully recorded by James Farber and mastered by the legendary Bernie Grundman, the album’s analog warmth and depth echo its thematic soul.
Cheek’s three original compositions, including the opener Kino’s Canoe, provide a window into his creative process, mirroring popular melodies to create fresh, intricate works. The album offers a sense of spiritual communion with nature and a reflection on how we’ve lost touch with it. Cheek sums it up, “I think it’s a parallel world that supports the one we can touch but can’t always describe.”
About Chris Cheek:
Chris Cheek is widely regarded as one of the most innovative and expressive saxophonists in contemporary jazz. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1968, Cheek has played alongside legendary musicians such as Paul Motian, Charlie Haden, Steve Swallow, and Bill Frisell, earning a reputation for his lyrical playing, distinctive sound, and deep emotional resonance.
Known for his ability to subvert expectations, Cheek combines a graceful lyricism with moments of unexpected intensity, capturing a wide range of emotional expression. His work as both a sideman and leader has made a lasting impact on the modern jazz scene. With a discography that includes albums such as Saturday Songs, I Wish I Knew, and Blues Cruise, Cheek’s music blends the traditions of jazz with a forward-thinking, almost spiritual approach.
A long-time member of Paul Motian's groups and co-leader of bands like Rudder, The Bloomdaddies, and Reeds Ramble, Cheek has proven to be a versatile force in the jazz world. He has also performed and recorded with prominent big bands, including those of Dafnis Prieto, Alan Ferber, and Miguel Zenon. His playing has been described as both gentle and deeply subversive—just when the listener feels comforted by the melody, Cheek introduces a twist that challenges expectations.
Cheek’s approach to music goes beyond technique—he believes in the emotional connection to sound and how it can resonate with listeners on a deeper, almost spiritual level. This connection is evident throughout his latest project, Keepers of the Eastern Door, which finds him exploring themes of nature, culture, and the balance between the two through a deeply personal and expressive musical journey.
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