Whirlwind Recordings proudly presents Ancestral, the latest album from acclaimed saxophonist and composer John O’Gallagher. Available on CD, LP, and digital formats from October 24, 2025, the album is historic for featuring the first-ever recorded collaboration between two legendary drummers: Andrew Cyrille and Billy Hart. Completing the quartet is the virtuoso guitarist Ben Monder.
Ancestral marks a significant artistic transformation for O’Gallagher. Following a period of personal change—including relocations from Brooklyn to the UK and ultimately Lisbon—O’Gallagher also drew inspiration from his PhD studies, analyzing John Coltrane’s late recordings Interstellar Space and Stellar Regions. This deep dive into Coltrane’s structured improvisations informed the album’s approach, revealing how “free” music can emerge organically within organized systems.
Recorded in January 2024 at Sound on Sound Studios in Montclair, New Jersey, the album captures first takes, improvised group compositions, and carefully constructed pieces. O’Gallagher’s alto saxophone leads the ensemble through a diverse range of moods and textures, from spectral calm to fiery intensity, all complemented by Monder’s fluid guitar and the masterful, interplay of Cyrille and Hart on drums.
Tracks on Ancestral explore a spectrum of sonic landscapes:
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Awakening begins like a spectral dawn, with mallets dancing on drumheads and guitar and saxophone unfurling like mist, growing to a powerful crescendo.
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Under the Wire blends swing with Monder’s bass ostinato, evoking playful, Monkish energy.
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Contact is an eerie improvised dialogue, hinting at uncharted territory.
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Tug flows with regal, wily energy, demonstrating the drummers’ intuitive interplay.
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Profess bubbles with a floating drive reminiscent of Paul Motian.
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Altar of the Ancestors pays homage to jazz forebears, echoing Coltrane’s spiritual explorations.
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Quixotica loops familiar motifs into subtly shifting patterns.
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Postscript, the first piece recorded, concludes the album with a descending, contemplative tone.
Each piece highlights the quartet’s mastery of texture, form, and improvisation. Ancestral exemplifies the synergy of seasoned artists who continue to push the boundaries of jazz while honoring its lineage.
About the Artists
John O’Gallagher (alto saxophone) is an internationally recognized musician whose career spans over three decades in New York City and Europe. He has performed with luminaries such as Joe Henderson, Kenny Wheeler, Tyshawn Sorey, Maria Schneider, and Rudresh Mahanthappa. He is also the author of Twelve-Tone Improvisation and continues to develop his PhD research on Coltrane.
Andrew Cyrille (drums) emerged in the 1960s as a pioneering free jazz drummer, best known for his work with Cecil Taylor. His extensive career includes collaborations with David Murray, Mal Waldron, Roswell Rudd, and many others. Cyrille has received the Doris Duke Artist Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship in Composition, and numerous lifetime achievement recognitions.
Billy Hart (drums) has performed with McCoy Tyner, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Miles Davis. A master of rhythm and texture, Hart also teaches at prestigious institutions including Oberlin Conservatory and the New England Conservatory, and leads his own acclaimed quartet.
Ben Monder (guitar) is celebrated as one of the most innovative guitarists of his generation, performing with Marc Johnson, Maria Schneider, George Garzone, and contributing to David Bowie’s final album Blackstar. Monder has released seven albums as a leader and is known for his work in both solo and collaborative settings.
Produced by John O’Gallagher and executive produced by Michael Janisch, Ancestral was engineered by David Amlen, mixed by André Fernandes, and mastered by Mário Barreiros. Photography is by Owen Howard, and the album artwork and design were created by Jamie Breiwick, O’Gallagher, and Bside Graphics.
Ancestral is a bold statement of artistic evolution, bridging the legacy of jazz with contemporary improvisational exploration. It is a must-listen for fans of adventurous, boundary-defying jazz.
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