Tomeka Reid finds authority in flexibility on the cello, taking full advantage of an instrument that can be earthy or ethereal, growly or sweetly serene. Her irresistible new album — dance! skip! hop! —

At Firehouse12 in New Haven, Conn., I recently heard an evening set led by the cellist and composer Tomeka Reid. A star in progressive jazz circles, she has also written music for exciting chamber music musicians like Johnny Gandelsman.

The cellist-composer on her Chicago jazz family, recent quartet record and more

The cellist, composer, improvisor and band leader goes from strength to strength across several creative projects.

“We have been exploring different variations of these pieces and I am excited to share them work during my Stone Residency week”

Forging a unique jazz sound that draws from a range of musical traditions and expanding the expressive possibilities of the cello in improvised music.

Old New, the second album by the Tomeka Reid Quartet, is a project that exemplifies why she’s quickly become a definitive figure on the 21st century jazz scene…